July 2006 Development Newsletter

Article Body: "Have Love" was the official theme for Spectacular 2006...but like each and every year for over 30 years now...the experience was so much more for the happy campers. Have fun, Have work ethic, Have spills and thrills in the gym, Have new friends, Have a real spirit filled blast...it was all that and so much more really. Hello, alumni and friends, this is your August edition of the Graceland Development newsletter coming straight into your computer...you may want to scoot your chair back just a little because it's loaded!

You won't believe the added perk for the city of Lamoni this year with regards to SPEC. Imagine...if you will...hundreds of teenagers from around the country invading downtown and the outlying areas...all with one mission...to help spruce up the place. They aptly named this phenomena "Lamoni Extreme Makeover." Please do yourself a favor and get the whole story on this year's Spectacular right from the Community of Christ webpage at www.cofchrist.org/spec. You may also read "Lamoni meets SPEC and it's a beautiful thing" straight from the Graceland Headlines webpage.

Let's bring you up to speed on a makeover of sorts for the Graceland campus ministries team. What a coup for the University...what a perk for students set to grace our campus in just a few weeks. Not just one but TWO great campus pastors. He sings like James Taylor and preaches like a man with a spirit-led burning desire. She's an Evangelist with a solid background in social work, teaching and executive ministry. What a combination! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Dave and Dustee Heinze. They have been serving the Community of Christ in Florida where Dave was mission center president. Welcome, D&D.

Yikes! Are we really only 60 days and counting down from Homecoming 2006? For sure, and that means your family needs to get on the stick and make plans now to be in Lamoni September 29, 30 and October 1. This year's catchy theme is "Jacket Fever-Catch the Buzz" and the honor classes are '56, '66, '71, '81, '86, and 1996. Get the skinny on the entire Homecoming weekend by clicking on Homecoming 2006. Nailing down a place to stay is a lot easier than you may think.

Graceland actually puts on two Homecomings every year...the second is for our alumni and friends who live within driving distance of the Independence campus. Jazz on the Bricks is another opportunity to reconnect with old friends. Please mark your calendars for Friday, September 8 from 6-8pm. Check out the finer details of the event by clicking on Jazz on the Bricks. If you know right now that you are coming, please RSVP at 800-645-3582. If you love good barbecue, Jazz and Graceland then this event is for you!

Here's another "shout out" for the alumni and friends who took their swings at the 2nd annual Yellowjacket Club Golf outing back in the spring. Over $14,000 was raised to remodel the Women's Varsity Basketball locker room in the Closson Center. Head Coach Opie Butler would like to thank everyone who made this renovation possible. To show his appreciation, Coach Butler invites you to stop by his office and check out the locker room. Catch your Yellowjackets in action starting in November. Watch for a preview of our team during Homecoming 2006 weekend, before the BIG Saturday evening event!

We can't wait for the day when we can include pictures of Graceland's new Science and Technology Center in this newsletter. Our Development staff is working hard to help you help us make it happen. Please call us toll-free at 1-800-645-3582 for a DVD about the project or join the long list of already committed investors by clicking on Make a Gift Today.

Let's switch gears: Over the years, John and Mary Jones have enjoyed a good life. They bought an initial starter home, but as their children grew older they sold that residence, rolled over the gain and acquired a second home. Their current residence is the third home they've purchased. It is now worth approximately $1,800,000 with a cost basis of $200,000. Actually, John and Mary no longer need the big home and would be quite happy with a smaller retirement condominium. However, they do not want to sell the big home and pay a large capital gains tax. Is there a solution for our friends John and Mary? What would your advice be to John and Mary? Look for the answer in our September "Estate Planning Tip of the Month" for one way John and Mary could solve their dilemma or contact Todd Sturgis at tsturgis@graceland.edu if you can't wait until next month.

That's all folks! Students arrive back on campus in just a few weeks and that will mean a long list of new stories to bring you next month! If you would like to take in some of this year's outstanding Performing Arts Series offerings then check out the lineup now by clicking on Performing Art Series.

Until next time...Graceland Forever!
Event Date: 7/4/2006 11:15 AM