THE FIFTEENTH HARTAGE FAMILY REUNION

Jekyll Island, GA 2017

Calling All Descendants of Webster Joshua Hartage (c.1851-1887)

and Manerva Mathis-Butts Hartage (c.1853-1927)

www.hartagefamily.com

Clarence D. White, Coordinator

50 Belmonte Circle, SW

Atlanta, GA 30311-2771

678.429.9670

E-mail: White792@aol.com

December 20, 2016

Last Updated: August 9, 2017

Dear Family Members and Friends:

I am delighted to report that our next reunion is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend, October 7 and 8, 2017, on the Georgia coast, http://www.jekyllisland.com/; also http://www.goldenisles.com/jekyll-island. This reunion follows that of 2012, which was held at our ancestral home— Buena Vista and vicinity—and responds to recurring inquiries since then from various family members about the timing of the next reunion. I had encouraged the inquirers to go ahead and make it happen, but as you know it didn’t. So Cousin Homer Hartage and I are bringing it to Jekyll Island, which is within manageable driving distance to most family members who live in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina, where our family is concentrated. If this location proves appealing and successful, we could perhaps hold other future reunions in coastal resort locations. This reunion will be shorter, informal and casual, and less planned. Be aware that there is a toll of $15.00 per vehicle to come onto the island.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Meet, Greet, Eat, Visit, BYOP.  Bring your own picnic. Gather at South Dunes picnic area beginning at 12:30 pm, http://www.goldenisles.com/listing/south-dunes-picnic-area. Bring your family pictures and a head full of memories and stories to share. Bring your laptops, picture albums, small memorabilia. Look forward to meeting and getting to know Hartages whom you’ve never seen before, and to renewing lifelong bonds with other family. If you arrive on the island this day, come directly to the picnic area upon arrival. We’ll be in the picnic area until 6 pm or until everyone leaves.

Dinner.  Come to the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island, 701 North Beachview Drive, https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/jekyll-island/bqkji/hoteldetail#scmisc=nav_hoteldetail_rs, at 7:30 PM for a buffet-style supper of Southern favorites. Program and entertainment. Casual dress. For the young, young at heart, and young-wannabes, there are some night life hangouts on the island that you can sample after dinner, such as the Wee Pub: http://theweepub.com/.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Worship Hour.  At  9:30 AM at the Holiday Inn Resort. Casual dress. Gospel music, praise—some Methodist and some Baptist, homily. Family reunion ends with prayers for safe travel and for blessings “until we meet again.”

Idea: Extend your stay or plan a vacation around the reunion. Many family members will want to extend their stay on one or both ends of the reunion on Jekyll or in other locations on the Georgia coast. This region of the state is especially rich in African-retention culture and African heritage and folkways. To plan your visit, go to sites such as these: http://www.goldenisles.com/heritage-culture/african-american-heritage

http://themoonlitroad.com/coastal-georgia-slavery-gullah-culture/

http://goldenislesnews.blogspot.com/2011/02/african-american-heritage-in-brunswick.html

See online or order a copy of Golden Isles Visitor Guide at this link:

http://www.goldenisles.com/discover-golden-isles/visitor-guide

FEES

The cost of all reunion activities is:

$65.00 per person to attend all activities for adults and children 12 and older

$50.00 per person to attend all activities for children 11 and younger

These fees will permit us to cover all expenses of the reunion, including overhead items such as postage and printing, and rentals of the park and hotel spaces.

Registration and payment are due in full by September 1, 2017. The earlier you register, the better for me since I am having to advance a lot of money from my pocket to the Holiday Inn Resort. Please complete the enclosed registration and payment form. Make all money orders and checks payable to: Clarence White, and note Hartage Family Reunion on the face. Mail to: Clarence D. White, 50 Belmonte Circle, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311-2771. There can be no refunds after September 1, 2017.

Click here for the registration form:

HOTEL

I have reserved a block of rooms for Friday and Saturday nights only, October 6 and 7, at the Holiday Inn Resort. The rates are $159 for islandview room, $179 for oceanview room, and $259 for oceanfront suite, plus tax and fees in all cases. Call the hotel to reserve a space at 912.635.2211; mention Hartage Family Reunion. Check-in at 4 PM; check-out at 11 AM. For the reduced rate, you will need to make a reservation with a credit card before September 6, 2017. There are several options for lodging on the island including some properties around or below $100 per night. Affordable: Quality Inn and Suites, http://www.goldenisles.com/listing/quality-inn-suites-jekyll-island; Days Inn and Suites, http://www.goldenisles.com/listing/days-inn-and-suites, and the Hampton Inn and Suites, which is adjacent to the South Dunes picnic area, http://www.goldenisles.com/listing/hampton-inn-suites-jekyll-island. To search all accommodations on Jekyll, go to: http://www.goldenisles.com/places-to-stay/find?type=All®ion=80&range=3&pet_friendly=0&eco_friendly=0&family_friendly=0&chamber=0&#view-result; select Jekyll Island under Region. See you on Jekyll! Spread the word, share this letter with other family members. THANKS!

Sincerely yours,

Clarence D. White, Coordinator

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1194654443993695/?notif_t=plan_user_invited¬if_id=1482966514996115