President Roger Graham welcomed everyone and presided over the business meeting. The minutes from the 2014 reunion were read and approved.
It was decided to keep the same location, date, and time for the next reunion. (Parke's Pond, third Sunday of July). Roger clarified that they meet at 1:00 and eat at 2:00 each year, but if people want to come early and visit, that was fine.
Prizes were given for the following:
First to arrive, Sheri Cowan; Most family members: descendants of Timer and Virginia Graham (16 in attendance); Youngest, Laila LeeAnn Parker, daughter of Nick and Logan (3 weeks old); Oldest, Ed Keiffer (79); and Traveling the farthest, June Duffee (167 miles).
Family information:
Kristi Keiffer Nelson recently got married to Greg Nelson on May 29, 2015 and they are moving to Louisiana soon.
Maddie Graham and Emily Henson graduated 6th grade this year (Canton Elementary School).
Brandon Smith graduated from Penn College in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
Lacey Smith became engaged in June and will be getting married in the spring of 2016 in San Antonio, TX.
Sheri and Bill Cowan's granddaughter, Sierra L. Wicox, graduated from North Penn/Mansfield High School this year, as an honor student and she belongs to the NSHSS. She left for basics in the Army National Reserves on July 7 in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then was off to Fort Pickett, VA for AIT. She will return home, December 8th then go to East Stroudsburg University in January.
Chloe Barret, another granddaughter of Sheri and Bill, is expecting a daughter in November.
William Forry, Clara Mae Rusk's grandson, graduated from high school and is going to Indiana University to major in theater, and minor in communications.
Jake and Jansie VanNoy Villanueva had a baby boy, Landon Jay Villanueva at Sentara Leigh Hospital on April 19. He weighed six pounds eight ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.
Nick Parker and Logan Ward had a baby girl, Laila LeeAnn Parker on June 27 at Williamsport Hospital; she weighed six pounds and nine ounces and was 19 inches long.
Sally Route's grandsons Trevor Route and Tucker Route both graduated from Canton High School. Trevor will be attending Penn Tech, majoring in plastics engineering. Tucker currently is employed working on diesel trucks, having had training in diesel mechanics his junior and senior years of high school at Northern Tier Technology School in Towanda.
Mike and Kathy's granddaughter, Emma Machmer, graduated from 6th grade at Canton Elementary School.
Jordan Robinson (Sue and Ed Keiffer's grandson) graduated from high school this year.
Bobby Graham announced he recently had surgery, and had two stents put in his heart, and he looks and feels great.
Wader Graham brought a guest, Beth Heatley, who was welcomed warmly to the occasion.
Bill and Mary Graham could not attend this year because of funeral services for Mary's brother. (Our condolences to them). Also, they visited Max and Janet Webser in their travels.
It was refreshing to see so many young people at the reunion this year. Bob Jackson's grandson, Bob Spencer, attended for the first time, with his lovely wife, Faye, and daughter. Gabrielle. It was nice to see them all.
The reunion book was passed around for everyone to sign.
Amy Rusk was very helpful in drawing names again for the Chinese Auction. Emily and Katie Henson set up the auction items, delivered all the prizes to the winners, and organized the entire process from start to finish.
Roger announced the winners and thanked everyone for the beautiful items donated. Max and Janet Webster sent in several beautiful collections of note cards and envelopes, with photographs of nature, which Max took himself.
Sherry was the official cheerleader and celebrated her winnings with her usual enthusiasm! She is quite the acrobat!
Jessie Herman and Penny Remstrom both sent in their greetings; they are doing quite well. Jessie is at Cedar Ridge and Penny is at Bradford County Manor, undergoing a second round of chemo treatments. Her spirits are good and she looks wonderful! Jessie is our oldest family member at 97 years of age. Paul Machmer (90) also sent his hello to them. He is still in Twin Oaks.
They missed those who could not attend, but hope to see all next year. Several asked about the out-of-the-area relatives: Danna, Sheryl, Anne, and Chris and Megan, Max and Janet and families and they sent them their love and well-wishes.
There was a nice round of applause for Scott and Julie Parker for the use of their pond pavilion; Roger for his leadership and to everyone for attending and bringing a bountiful meal.
Wade Graham offered the blessing for the meal, and also gave a praise that the Victory Church, which he and Dorothy attend, baptized 85 people last week at Binford's pond near Alba. This prompted three young men to speak to Wade about giving their lives to Christ that day.
After prayer, and explaining the plan of salvation, Wade baptized them in the pond. Devyn Porter (Patrick' and Arlene Graham's grandson), and Keegan and Mason Nelson (grandsons of Sue and Ed), were all immersed as family members looked on. A great celebration!
Throughout the day, family members enjoyed paddle-boating, reminiscing, sharing pictures, and laughter. Many family pictures were taken, and many lingered to reminisce.