a photographer. Sunday offered a brunch and a buffet dinner with a Jewish folk singer. Throughout the weekend, a video featured the reminiscences of the surviving children, most in their 80s, with highlights of the old Jewish area in Detroit where Benjamin Krause lived and worked. More than 100 people gathered from several states. "We met people we never knew ex- isted," Judy Goldwasser recalled. "The reunion was fabulous. Peo- ple who didn't know anyone came to see whom they were re- lated to. Some cousins hadn't been in Detroit for 60 years but want- ed to show their children their roots." The hardest part of planning a reunion? "Keeping control of all the opinions at the meetings," Mrs. Krause said smiling. It is not always the older gen- eration that longs to bond with rel- atives. Last July, 15-year-old Joshua Goldberg of West Bloomfield or- ganized a meeting to plan this sum- mer's Applebaum family reunion. "We have a large family that is spread apart, and I wanted to bring it together," Joshua said. "I used the phone book like a detective and started tracking peo- ple down." His parents are helping with plans, and paying his hefty phone bills. Though the Aug. 11 reunion plans are still incomplete, Joshua shared the following advice, "The more people you have on com- mittees, the more opinions you have. Fewer people get things done." He is also busy collecting in- formation for the reunion histo- ry book. Initial inquiries at Machpelah Cemetery about de- scendants of Hersh Applebaum led him to Phillip Applebaum, who is not related but shared re- search he had done on Apple- baum families. An additional 400 people on his family tree were discovered with the help of Marlene Silverman of Washington, D.C.. "She is the head of the Suwalk-Lomza Inter- est Group that traces families from Russian Polish provinces," Joshua said. "So far I have traced 1337 people." Winnipeg, Canada, will be the host city for the Lockshin family reunion this August. "That's where the family started," said Neal Zalenko of Bloomfield Hills. NIL Zalenko advised, "The most common reason people don't at- tend a reunion is because they can't afford it. Be sensitive to the lowest common denominator and make it affordable. Negotiate the lowest hotel rates." The year 1997 will be the 70th reunion of the Meyer Molly Aus- lander Family Club. Though the local family has gathered through the years for monthly meetings, seders, a Chanukah party and yearly dinner dance, a weekend celebration is planned every five years for family members all over the country. The first Gottesman family re- union, planned 21 years ago by Nancy Gottesman, is now re- peated every three years in rotat- ing host cities. Warren Kifferstein and John Gottesman are already planning the 1997 reunion that will be held in the summer at the Grand Traverse Resort in north- ern Michigan. "It's a wonderful tradition," said Warren Kifferstein. "We started in Michigan and have been to New York, Florida, Cali- fornia and Idaho." Plans for the '97 reunion in- clude hot-air balloon rides, sailing and a visit to Interlochen. "Each reunion takes on a personality of its own," Mr. Kifferstein said. "It's a forum for people to get togeth- er and have fun. It does take some work, but it's really a labor of love." ❑ REMEMBER To THANK EACH GUEST PERSONALLY. Godiva wedding favors, which can be personalized just for you, tastefully thank guests for sharing your special day. Dressed in ribbons and hand-crafted flowers to complement your wedding's color scheme, they sweetly express your appreciation. Somerset Collection 810-643-7763 Lakeside Mall 810-247-7107 Fairlane Town Center 313-336-5850 Briarwood Mall 313-747-9600 Twelve Oaks Mall 810-348-7680 Woodland Mall 616-956-5572 CALL 1-800-448-2130 FOR OTHER GODIVA STORE LOCATIONS. PLEASE ALLOW THREE WEEKS ADVANCE NOTICE WHEN ORDERING. 01994 Godiva and the Gold Ballotin are registered trademarks.