Brooker Weekend Draws Near

Photo at left is Leo, Emily, Keri, (Lori Andersen Clancy - Keri's Sister) and Erin.

We participated in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in late October, 2008 in Des Moines, IA - 25,000 people ran or walked - as many as in New York City.

Hey, the weekend is getting close! Keri is testing new recipes and Sandi is ready for Fried Chicken and Chocolate Cake. Sheesh... what an event this will be...

Please confirm your reservations with the Super 8 Shangri-La.... otherwise you may be forced to play cards with Marlene & Don all night!!!! Gary Cornelius said his mother always played Tripoli with Butch and other family... Perhaps we should ressurect that game and give it a whirl ?!?

We have finalized the budget for the weekend. The cost for the weekend will include an All-Aboard Expense Paid Visit to the Jefferson Ranch complete with a Hearty Breakfast on Saturday Morning courtesy of Keri's Grandma Flossie's recipe along with a Lighter Breakfast on Sunday Morning before you choose a Church of your choice or other Sunday Morning activities (Guilt Trips All Around).

Also included will the be the Saturday Evening Banquet Feast provided ala Chef Keri Jane and her Adopted Assistants. There will be a Cash Bar provided by the Raccoon Valley Golf Club on Saturday evening before and during the Merriment. Prepare your Taste Buds for a special Saturday Evening Surprise Desert featuring one of the KC, Missouri Boys' favorties: "South Saint Louis Ooeey Gooeey Butter Cake"

We will also have some Beer, Soda Pop, & Iced Tea during the weekend along with some snacks to keep the Celebration vibrant and energetic. Please bring your own Special Brews or Hard Stuff to quench any special tastes you might have.

During the Saturday Evening Gala, we will have a Video History Showing our Humble Beginnings and Origins. We are providing 20 copies of this DVD to distribute throughout the Family Tree.

We have some Kids Activities and Games planned that we hope will be fun and entertaining.

We have priced the weekend to be all inclusive for everything described above at $27.50 per person. We have tried to keep it reasonable while still having a good time. If you have a small child that you feel will not benefit from many of the activities or meals, then feel free to discount your payment for that child. We do not want this to be a hardship on anyone. You can visit with Leo or Bill Brooker about any concerns. Please make checks payable to Leo Brooker.

See you Soon.

Twila (Cornelison) and Duane Harville.

Duane and Twila (Cornelison) Harville's kids. Cokey, Tammy, Becky and David.

Ruth (Brooker) Cornelison and James Clarke Cornelison with daughter Twila. Maybe 1938

Homer and Lois

Old Brooker Pictures

Old Brooker Pictures

Kid line up-1936 or 37 Names written on top of picture are Ramona,Georgia,Thelma Don,Bill,Bobby,Joan and Marlene

Old Brooker Pictures

From Twila to Gary C. to me.Thanks ya'all. Butch was born in 1941 and he looks to be 5 or 6 in this picture so 1946 or 1947?

BROOKER/JORGENSEN

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Brooker Family Album

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The List as of July 14th

Have I missed anyone?
And by the way if your last name isn't Brooker I may have trouble remembering it so please accept my apologies.(SC) means sorta confirmed...
Leo and Keri Brooker
Erin and friend
Emily Brooker
Butch and Barb Brooker
Jason and Laura Brooker
Gary and Susan Brooker
Amanda Brooker Teeter
Marlene and Bernard Kelley
Diane and Blaze Rosene
Jennifer and husband
Sandy and husband
Bill and Jo Brooker
Barb O'Rouke
Jason, Angie and Allie
Brook O'Rouke (sc)
Mark Brooker
Don and Nancy Brooker
Gary and Nancy Cornelison (sc)
Dick & JoAnn Jorgensen
Sandra Holtz
Sandi
Tom, Ann & Jack, George, Ella
Amy and her 2 boys
Courtney
John & Marie Kelley
Dwight & Carolyn Kelley
Anna Kelley
Dan & Sara Kelley
Elizabeth & Daniel Johansen
Paul & Pam Brooker
Amanda Brooker
Kelsey Brooker
Rachel Brooker
Brian Brooker & Family
Brad Brooker & Family
Steve Brooker & family

Do you know anyone?

To Leo

Beware Dicks in training

BRW Itinerary- Erin & Emily with Keri's Mother Rosalie

Certain unnamed individuals that shall remain Anonymous that live in Des Moines who parents were the Beloved Paul & Norma Hamilton whose first name starts with S and can be spelled either Sandra or Sandy has asked for Fried Chicken and Chocolate Cake and Details....

The Main Central Hub for the Weekend will be at Leo & Keri's Ranch at 1167 N Avenue which is 1.3 miles north of Jefferson on Highway 4 on the east side (right side)... We will have signage... you won't miss it...

If you are staying at the Super 8 Motel, 515-386-2464, 207 W Gallup Rd, it is located at the corner of Highway 4 and Highway 30 on the North Edge of Jefferson exactly 1.3 miles south of Leo & Keri's Homestead.

Sandra is talking about BRW Details.... Sheesh...

Hmmmmmm.... Ahhhhhhhhhhh.... Details... well let me see... we have Friday night when some of the 70 family members will arrive and the remaining constituents will arrive on Saturday morning and afternoon.

It sounds like the Kansas City Kids (Don, Nancy, Steve, Brian, Brad and families) will be arriving on Saturday... If others could let me know when they will be Inbound, shoot me an email @ Leo@Brookerandcompany.com ...

Marlene is still screaming Deal Em so I anticipate Marlene dragging Bernard in on Friday early evening. I would guess William and Jo to be here on Friday afternoon/evening. Lenny & Barb are coming in on the 4th of August to help with the Preparations for the BRW.... I owe a lot to Butch & Barb for all of their help. Speaking of Gratitude Recognition, My Little Bride Keri Jane works determinedly on these kinds of events and I appreciate her very much.

It wouldn't surprise me if Lenny and Willy don't sneak in a Round of Golf on Friday afternoon... so if anyone wants to come in early and join them, then let me know...

Friday Evening will bring a Meet & Greet time with no formal meal provided but some snacks and drinks while sitting around the campfire roasting Marshmellows and making Smores...

Saturday morning Keri Jane has a small breakfast planned for all the ancestors to enjoy... this should start around 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. when the golfers will begin their first round at the Raccoon Valley Golf Club. Erin Brooker & Greg Westergard will be engineering some kids games starting in the morning and running into the afternoon. We have some special games that will require some participation from some of elder ancestors of the assembly. Negotiations are ongoing to see if Emily Brooker will be involved with this faction of the BRW...

Saturday evening brings the dinner at the Raccoon Valley Golf Club in the south part of Jefferson just off of Highway 4. Their address is 501 W Greenewood Rd and phone is 515-386-4178.

On Sunday morning, Keri Jane has a continental breakfast planned. Church is available. Keri will be playing the organ at the Presbyterian Church for those that would like to attend at our church. No other formal events are planned for Sunday at this time other than Coffee and Conversation Time at the Hacienda.

Looking forward to seeing everyone... Leo

This is Emily Brooker, daughter of Leo & Keri.... (with her cousin Molly)...

Emily graduated from Creighton University a year ago in Omaha, NE.

Emily has not gotten to know the Brooker Family very well and would love to see recent family photos of everyone that can either send them to
Leo@Brookerandcompany.com ....

Emily will be at the Reunion, so please give her a preview of your family... any photos from years ago that you would share of the family would be great also... See you all soon...

From Steve Brooker

My wife Peggy and I and our 3 sons, Nicholas, Todd, and Joseph are
planning on coming up on August 8th for the Brooker reunion.

I've got a couple of pictures I've grabbed up off of my computer. One of
my mom and I and another one of my family from Xmas 2006 that's a little
fuzzy.

Steve Brooker

Golf on Saturday August 8th, 2009

Okay Golfers- I have enlisted a Personal Golf Instructor from April until now to kick the Ass Ends of Lenny, Donnie, & Willie....

So get signed up today so I can tell the club the exact number of golfers... The Raccoon Valley Golf Course is holding some Tee Times starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday the 8th.

Cost of Unlimited Holes for Saturday is $13.00 per person with $18.00 for a cart for 18 holes.
Please let me know ASAP your golfing intentions by emailing Leo@Brookerandcompany.com .... Let me know if you would like a cart of not.

Ladder Golf Challenge

You know that can be 7 years of Misfortune if you Beat Santa or his Elves at Ladder Golf....

Santa remembers Cousin Dick and Darrell Hamilton putting Little Leo Santa on a small calf at the Jorgensen Ranch when Spike wasn't looking.... and Santa got bucked off !!!

Santa doesn't forget those little incidents especially while playing Ladder Ball !!!

Ladder Golf - Jo Ann Jorgensen

Everyone,

As a FYI, Dick can do more than fish! Dick is pretty good at ladder golf. We are up for the challenge. Let us know if more sets are needed- we can round up 3 or 4 more sets.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Dick and Jo Ann

Dogs Attending Reunion

Lexi is our buddy and will be the BRW Ranch Home Reunion Dog Queen for the weekend.

We hope you will put up with her antics during the weekend... Butch will tell you that she likes to "check you out" when she says "Hello"...

Trust us, you will see what we mean.

Maggie is coming for the weekend with Bill & Jo... What other Dogs are attending ???

Leo & Keri...

Brooker Reunion 32 Days & Counting Down

How exciting to be so close to the BRW - Brooker Reunion Weekend... perhaps I should start my diet soon ??? In order to be ready, I may need Butch & Barb to withdraw from Snow Mountain Ranch next week to begin the landscaping and mowing and building cleaning to be ready for the big event...

Thanks to all of you that are making the committment to attend... it means a lot and we hope there will be something for everyone to enjoy.... Thus far, we have tournaments for Table Tennis, Golf, & LadderBall all arranged and ready to fire...

Las Vegas is weighing heavy in Odds Betting and has Brian & Brad Brooker in a Dead Even Heat for the Table Tennis with Don, Lenny & William neck and neck for the Golf Tourney with your Host Leo topping the charts in the Ladder Ball Championship... Las Vegas Bookies are looking for events where Dick Jorgensen & Gary Cornelius can compete; but a fishing derby would be difficult to pull off; so we are still searching...

We have a special event planned for the younger age group (Ages 4 to 25 years old) for Saturday afternoon... for it to be really effective, it has to remain a secret; let's just say you won't want to miss this event... All Parents and Grandparents must attend.... This will be memorable!!!

In addition to the 3 Tournaments going on during the weekend, we also have a fun event planned at the Ranch for the Golfing Duffers in the group to see who can Chip directly into the Target from 125 yards with the highest percentage frequency... The winner of all Tournaments will receive valuable prices as with all the Brooker Reunions.

Ever since the Reunion was announced, Marlene has been screaming Deal The Cards ... so we have to figure out what cardgame we can beat her with and just concentrate on that game...

Keri is scheduled to play the organ on Sunday the 9th of August at our Presbyterian Church in Jefferson... It would be great if you would like to attend the service and be recognized in the service... Pastor Gordon would have a lot of fun with you as a group...

Please email me at Leo@Brookerandcompany.com if you have reservations at the Super 8 Motel in Jefferson... Joni and I at the Super 8 are not communicating very well and I am not sure why this is the case. The Super 8 phone is 515-386-2464...
One minute she says they are full and the next time I visit with her, she still has 9 rooms available for us; so who can guess what the real story is ???

I also have some rooms spoken for at the Redwood Motel at 515-386-3116... if they are needed... You should enter the Twilight Zone at your own risk...

Scheduled meals to be provided for the entire group are Saturday Morning Breakfast at the ranch, Saturday Evening Dinner and Program at the Raccoon Valley Golf Club (south part of Jefferson just west of Highway 4 by Greenewood Homes) and Sunday Morning Continental Breakfast, again at the Ranch.

Please also email me if you are interested in the golf tournament on Saturday... I need to tell the club how many are participating in that event. I don't have an exact cost of that event, but am working on that.

Thanks to all for attending and making this a Huge Success....

Leo

From Gary Cornelison

Nancy came through foot surgery with flying colors and is progressing faster than expected. Bottom line is that we now plan to be at the reunion. She does have a school commitment that may require us to miss the Sunday festivities. Not sure yet. We would at least be able to stay in Jefferson Saturday night though. Do you have an idea, yet, on an agenda? We were thinking we would like to go to Ames Friday during the day, hoping the reunion would not really start until Friday night.
Thanks - Gary

I answered Gary that nothing much would be taking place before Friday evening. A firm agenda has not yet been established. But it is starting to sneak up on us!!
Barb B