Last reminder that several reunion-related deadlines are upon us at midnight tonight (CDT):

April 1 - May 17, 2013 - PARTIAL refunds will be given if you cancel between these dates. No refunds after May 17, 2013. No exceptions.  If you need to cancel, please contact cancellations@aramco-brats.com

In case you missed it at Aramco Expats, The Dhahran Youth Baseball Association (DYBA) would like to make a picture book covering 60 years of baseball in Saudi Arabia.  They are seeking pictures of baseball players, fields, and tournaments.  Although it says "Dhahran Youth Baseball," I'm sure they want to include  all districts.

Round #2 - It's on! We will be ready to rock and roll! Or something like that.

 Responses:

• Annie: “I hope the Tucson Reunion Committee knows what it's on for!”
• Kathy M.: “Annie...I think the Tucson Reunion Committee knows what they're doing.”
• Diana: “LOL Kathy - I'm thinking the same thing. Took guts to challenge us - they must have something up their sleeve.”
• Gina: "I've been thinking of names for our group. How about: Dawn & The Tony Orlandos?”

 Stay tuned…

Hi, my name is Dawn.  Some of you know me as the person to contact when they are trying to find classmates and friends.  People who attend the reunions may know me as the person who helped them when they needed assistance with their registration.  Some of you might even know me as the daughter of Gerald Kolb.  I am currently the Class Representative for Class of 1992, and the ABI Webmaster, but eight years ago I was just another Brat.

I am a younger brat, having graduated from Dhahran in 1992.  I never attended a reunion prior to the one in Houston in 2005.  I always thought the reunions were more geared towards the “older” generation, and that someone in mine would not have a good time.  I attended purely because of its location.  I figured that even if I didn’t have a good time at the reunion, I was at least in a city where I knew people, and could find entertainment elsewhere.

That reunion changed my life in regards to the reunions, and the ABI organization in general.  I have met people that I would not have met otherwise, some of whom have become pretty good friends.  I even met people that were friends with my parents, and knew me as a little child!  Let me tell you, it is surreal sitting in a hotel room drinking with people that drank with my parents; it was wonderful hearing stories about my parents’ lives that I had no idea about, things parents don’t tell their children.  What was more amazing to me was that I could travel between various groups, and all the stories people were recounting sounded familiar.  I didn’t feel out of place, regardless of whether I was hanging out with my classmates, or someone who graduated before I was even born! 

After the reunion ended, I was approached by a friend, Gretchen Connally-Doyle, DH91.  She was the current ABI Class Representative Coordinator, and was thinking about moving into a different position on the board.  She was looking for someone to fill her position and wanted to see if I was interested.  Having already held the position as my class rep, and doing a pretty decent job, I told her I would accept the role, if appointed. November 2005 rolled around, the new board started their term, and I started my journey as an ABI board member.  When the ABI decided to start accepting credit card payments, I was asked to help work on getting the website ready, and then eventually was asked if I would like to move into that role.  I have now been the ABI Webmaster for 3 terms, and am looking for someone to replace me so that I can move on with my journey on the board.  Who will accept this challenge? It can be a lot of work, but the benefits are worth the effort.  If the website is not your thing, there are other opportunities available.

Dawn Kolb, DH92

P.S.  I had a blast at the first reunion I attended, and haven’t missed one since.  You should think about coming to one too, how about Tucson?  There is still time to register.  I promise that you will have a great time, even if none of your classmates attend.

Submitted by John Prugh, RT '66

Attention all (potential) bowlers.  The 2013 Aramco Brats Reunion in Tucson is only weeks away (more than 6 admittedly, but that number is getting smaller all the time), and the lanes at Lucky Strike bowling alley are filling up fast*.  If you are thinking of bowling…well, remember how much fun it was last time.  Don't you want to have some fun again?

In fact, didn't you have fun bowling at the reunion back in '91?  Well, this is your chance to relive those happy days all over again.  We are going back to the same lanes where we bowled at the first Tucson Aramco Brat Reunion in 1991.  Sounds like fun, uh?

Sign up.

 * The word fast is somewhat of an exaggeration…a gross exaggeration, in fact, but lanes are filling up and the reunion will be here before you know it.  If you want to bowl, but fail to register…well (you can guess what happens)….

Any of you doing your spring cleaning early?  Looking for a home for those treasures from the past?  How about considering donating them to the ABI?  Shoot us an email at raffleauction@aramco-brats.com and we'll give you more details on where to send them. Thanks so much!  Your donations help to support the ABI and just makes another brat happy!

A month ago we reported that our room block was 94.5% filled.  Today it is 102.77% filled.  La Paloma has advised us that availability at the contract rate ($114) is very limited.  They suggest that Brats book quickly to ensure the special group rate.  When the hotel cuts us off we will send out information on overflow hotel, as well as other hotels in the area. Hotel Reservations

We bet you all would rather be at the reunion hotel.  So….please book NOW if you haven't already done so.  And - those of you holding reservations and know that you are unable to attend, please cancel so we have an accurate count of where we stand.  Reunion Registration

See you soon.