Duluth Connections Convention In the Twin Cities

 

Duluth, Superior, and Iron Range Gathering

 

June 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2014

 

Many of our Jewish ancestors emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States and settled in Duluth, Superior, the Iron Range  and the surrounding areas of Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.  They came in the late 1800's and early 1900's. After working on my family genealogy project for 30 years, I have broadened my research from my immediate family to the huge extended family of "Duluth Connections".  Many of the Jews who lived in the greater Duluth area were related or knew each other from the old country.  More than 100 years have passed by and we are still finding connections!  The idea emerged of a get-together to celebrate the "Duluth Connections" so that we can introduce ourselves and share our family histories, photos and stories.  We hope that you will join us June 20-23, 2014 and participate.  For every reunion I have hosted, we have had 'friends of the family' attend, so this time why not invite them all together.

 

We have planned for you the following events:

 

Friday, June 20:

 

The weekend begins with services at Beth El Synagogue at 5:45 p.m., followed by dinner at approximately 7:00 p.m.  The address is 5224 W. 26 St., St. Louis Park.  The Spirit of Asia, kosher caterers for the synagogue, will be catering a delicious buffet-style Asian dinner for our group.  Cost of the dinner is $35 per person.

 

Saturday, June 21:

 

For those interested in history--family history or otherwise--a wonderful venue is the Minnesota History Center at 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota; 651-259-3000.  You may wish to explore the Minnesota History Center web site: http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/   The library hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Arrangements have been made for staff 

members on the 2nd floor library of the History Center to be available for those who wish to use computers and microfilm.  It will be helpful if you are prepared ahead of time with a list of things you would like to accomplish.   http://www.ironrangeresearchcenter.org/  Admission to the Minnesota History Center is $11 for adults; $9 for seniors 65+ and college students; $6 children 6-17; free for children under 5. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  There are several exhibits on view such as "Toys of the '50's, '60's and 70's; Weather; The War of 1812; and Minnesota Immigration".  You can also witness new Americans taking the Oath of Citizenship at a naturalization ceremony going from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. too!

 

"Cruising on the Mississippi" is another option for Saturday (or Sunday).   There are 90 minute public sightseeing cruises from either of two separate cruise companies--one located in Minneapolis and the other in St. Paul.  You would be making these cruise arrangements on your own--or in small groups--and hopefully, others from our gathering would be joining you!

In Minneapolis, The Minneapolis Queen, leaves from the Bohemian Flats port near the University of Minnesota.  Details are on the web site at  http://www.twincitiescruises.com/  You can phone them at 952-474-8058.  There are public cruises on the Mississippi River that may fit into your schedule at 12 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m.

In St. Paul, the Jonathan Padelford leaves from Harriet Island in St. Paul.  Details are on their web site at http://www.riverrides.com/

You can phone them at 651-227-1100.  There are public cruises which may fit into your schedule at 12 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.  (You also might consider a Sunday 4:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise or a Sunset Dinner Cruise at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.)

 

Our gathering continues on Saturday at the Creekside Cafe in the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN, at about 5:00 p.m. for a dinner event.  The restaurant features an extensive buffet, a variety of entrees, soup, salad fixings, cold salad dishes and a variety of desserts.  The price for this meal will be $22 or $27, plus tax and gratuity.  Beverages are extra.  The price difference is dependent upon whether one decides to have the buffet including the prime rib option ($5 extra).  The price is $10.95 for children, ages 5-12.  The restaurant charges will be collected that evening from each table, rather than ahead of time.

 

Sunday, June 22:

 

Breakfast or brunch is on your own this morning!  But later the fun continues on Sunday at the SpringHill Suites in St. Louis Park, 5901 Wayzata Boulevard at about 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  There we will converse, share any old photos, scrapbooks, or other memorabilia.  Tables will be available for displaying your items.

 

 

Monday, June 23:

 

We are looking into the possibility of a day trip by chartered bus to Duluth.  We would visit Adas Israel and Tiffereth Israel Cemeteries and then possibly lunch at Adas Israel Congregation or another location.  Our plan would be to leave at 8 a.m. and return 8 p.m.  Cost would be approximately $50 to $75 per person, depending upon the number wishing to participate.

 

 

 

We have contacted the hotels below for special rates for our "Duluth Connections" events:

 

SpringHill Suites (in St. Louis Park)

(952)738-7300

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mspsl-springhill-suites-minneapolis-west-st-louis-park/

 

 

Country Inn & Suites Minneapolis West (in Plymouth)

(800)456-4000

https://www.hotelplanner.com/Event/?pid=1725373&sslsite=HOTELPLANNER.COM

 

 

Doubletree By Hilton Minneapolis Park Place (in St. Louis Park)

(952)542-8600

http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/M/MSPPHDT-61F-20140620/index.jhtml

 

 

Sheraton Minneapolis West (in Minnetonka)

(952)060-3536

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mspws-sheraton-minneapolis-west-hotel/

 

 

Please click on the link below to receive specific information on receiving these special hotel rates for our Duluth Connections event:

Special hotel rates for mentioning Duluth Connections

http://www.hotelplanner.com/Search/IndexR.cfm?City=Minneapolis,%20MN&InDate=06/20/2014&OutDate=06/22/2014&gid=1725373&kw=eventpage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration for the "Duluth Connections" Convention 2014

Please return by June 1

Please include a $10 per household registration fee to help defray costs.

 

Send to Jack Abramson

2643 Beaver Avenue

#171

Des Moines, Iowa  50310

 

Name(s) of Adults attending:_______________________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Address_________________________________________________________________________________

 

City_____________________State_______________Zip_______________

 

Phone:________________________E-mail:_____________________________________

 

Names and Ages of Children attending any of the events.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Please reply for EACH of the events and send back the entire page:

 

Name(s) of persons attending the family dinner at Beth El Synagogue, Friday, June 20:

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Number of persons___________at $35 per dinner=_______________

 

Please send a check for this event payable to Jack Abramson with this registration.

 

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Name(s) of persons interested in visiting the Minnesota History Center:

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Number of persons____________________

 

Payment for admission will be collected by the History Center

 

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Name(s) of persons attending the dinner at the Crowne Plaza Plymouth, Saturday, June 21:

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Number of Persons:_______________

 

Buffet options can be chosen that evening, top of page you will directly pay the restaurant.

 

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Name(s) of persons attending the SpringHill Suites gathering, Sunday, June 22:

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Number of persons:________________

 

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Name(s) of persons traveling by chartered bus to Duluth, Monday, June 23:

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Number of persons:_______________

 

Do not pay for this event until we know the number of persons who are interested.

 

 

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posted May3, 2014