Annette Weisman Langwald-Kozin

I loved my first two years of college at Michigan State. Grades were good and I had lots of fun crazy experiences. Sleeping through first hour, grassers, football games, panty-raids on the boys' dorm, first beer, first McDonalds hamburger, etc. Lots of singing and dancing. I spent the next two years at Wayne State and graduated in June, 1964. By then I was working at Jules Doneson Travel and knew this would be my life's career. I also married Shelby Langwald in 1964 and began our family in 1965. I continued in travel and became sales director of Hamilton, Miller, Hudson and Fayne Travel and when my husband past away in 1976 I knew I had to be in control of my own destiny. So, in 1979 I purchased Elkin Travel, perhaps one of the best known agencies in town, and grew it to seven offices and the fifth largest independent agency in Michigan. In 1980 my son, Andy became ill with a kidney disease and we were extremely lucky because I was a great match for him and in 1981 we did a kidney transplant. Thank goodness he is healthy today and enjoys his life. I also opened Michigan's first cruise only agency, "Cruises Only!" in 1982, also with seven locations. In 1990 Carlson Travel Network made me an offer to sell that I couldn't refuse. I sat on quite a few airline and cruiseline and car rental advisory boards in addition to the first Walt Disney advisory board and received many awards in the industry and felt it was time to relax and semi-retire. I hated being out of the action and missed the travel agency business. In 1993 I opened an agency in Clarkston, Michigan but I couldn't stay small very long. I enjoy the excitement of building a business in spite of the challanges that the travel industry presents. Today I am the owner of The World of Travel in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and having a wonderful time as the spearhead of a dynamic travel agency that offers thirty-two highly trained and experienced leisure and commercial travel agents.

My personal life is rewarding as well. In 1986, I married Dr. Frank Kozin, who is truly my soul-mate. I have five additional children amd a total of nine grandchildren. We enjoy travelling, especially cruising, and spending time in our Florida Condo whenever we can. We also have a lovely home in West Bloomfield that is shared with family and friends on Sundays throughout the summer. I am very blessed to have remained friends with Eileen Stewart, Linda Wolfe, Susie Rubenstein, Linda Berman and Elaine Brenner through all these years.

I am looking forward to seeing many old friends that I have lost touch with over the years.

Life is filled with ups and downs and I feel that
it is important to keep your sense of humor and surround yourself with loving supportive people. I have been very fortunate in my life.

I loved being active in Field Hockey and the Girls Athletic Association. Unfortunately other than swimming, I'm not very athletic today. My favorite classes were English with Blossom Lerman, she made it so interesting. I remember her bringing her guitar to class and doing Old English Folk Songs. I was fortunate to be in Doris Utter's leadership class and found the discussions so stimulating, as well as Mrs. Vera's Home Ec dissussions on teen problems. Mr. Simon's Public Speaking class was great preparation for the many presentations I have done over the years. I also learned how to write concisely from my journalism class. I remember Study Hall very well because I never studied during that hour. I don't think very many other students did either.