Our Family's Journey Through Time
The 17th annual Jones Family Reunion was held at Pam Hutchin's home in Lawrence, Michigan on June 28th and 29th. Minutes of the last reunion were read and corrected. This year, Kris Branso and Pam Hutchins co-hosted the event with Donald and RoseAnn Jones. Vivian and Horace Hutchins also provided much needed and greatly appreciated help in preparation for the event.
The oldest representative of the Jones clan was Uncle Edgar Phillips, with the youngest being Christopher Clayton Hurt. The reunion was not quite the same as we all felth the loss of Grandma (Elverda Emma) Jones who passed away February 22nd, 1986 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Two additions were added to our number since the last reunion. To Tammy Jones and Ron Hurt was born a son, Christopher Clayton Hurt on 12-22-1985. Their proud grandfather is Donald Jones. (That's twice his name has been mentioned so far!!) Also Bill and Cindy (Heidenreich) Durre were blessed with a lovely daughter, Tina Lynn, on 11-18-1985. Fred and Betty Heidenreich are the proud grandparents. Congratulations!
The food for this year's reunion was expertly prepared by none other than Kris Brando and Pam Hutchins under the experienced tutalige of Donald and RoseAnn Jones (not again!). The feast included roast beef, ham, traditional hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, scalloped corn, macaroni salad, and twice baked potators. A variety of excellent desserts and tempting snacks were brought by everyone attending, so no one had an excuse to go hungry.
The traditional White Elephant Sale and Craft Auction proved very successful this year with Phil Thoms acting (very wekk, I might add) as auctioneer. Raises was $196.47 from both. That amount added to the balance from last year's reunion and subtracted from the total bills tesulted in a somewhat different way of handling dues. It was decided that a per person fee would be charged instead of a flat reunion dues, resulting in a zero balance since our main purpose was to break even and have fun and enjoy each others company. A charge of $3 per person was assessed and cheerfully paid by all.
The now traditional water fight was again held (who could stop it anyhow?) and enjoyed by those who willingly participated and perhaps by those who didn't but got caught in the middle. Just plain old chewing the fat was enjoyed by all, there was an attempt at a softball game, horseshoes were pitched, bonifres by the campers were enjoyed. What made the reunion a success as always is the ambition and desire by all, whether a co-hostess or not, to pitch in and get the work done so everyone can enjoy the festivities. As was mentioned as the annual meeting, we are a fortunate group to have held on to our roots and maintained a sense of union all through the years. It is not something all families do on a regular basis.
Next year's reunion will be held at Fred and Betty Heidenreich's in Flanagan, Illinois on June 28th and 29th. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible next year.
Sincerely submitted,by Pamela Hutchins; Re-typed and slightly edited by Cheryl Jones Cash.
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