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<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>I agree with you. Family reunions are not made known enough so other family members can find out more like where there going to be held, dates & etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>Our Family Reunion is about 1852 Oregon Trail Pioneers & it was our 116th Hanson & Lavina (Wickard) Stevens Reunion & we just had it July, 16 at the Frank Lloyd Wright House, Oregon Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Next year it will be our 117th family reunion & will be held at Champoeg State Park. Some of the surnames are Stevens, Mount, Ringo, Esson, Smith, McCubbins, Flanagan to name just a few.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2> ...........................................................................................................................</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>I just read a family reunion story in our local Columbia River reader here in St. Helens, OR. called "Keeping on your toes" .</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>It's about this woman who went to her family reunion after 30 years & she says you should not waste 30 years of not seeing each other". This woman was so unsure of herself she had a pedicure to make sure her toes were acceptable.This is what else she wrote " I've just returned & this is what I learned: nothing is predictable & love can stretch across years to bring families back together. These are the five things you need to take to you next family reunion; yourself, family photo albums, an open heart, an open mind & patience.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2><STRONG>Pictures prompt a thousand words</STRONG>-Photo albums can jog memories & are starting points for stories.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2><STRONG>Open heart & mind</STRONG>-She brings out the last time all the cousins were together was Mother's day 1966. A lot can happen in 40 years; feelings get hurt, parents die, & we age.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2><STRONG>Patience</STRONG>-the kids were swimming & playing basketball & the older generation sat & talked with each other. This woman's uncle spoke & his words come slowly. He has to pause sometimes to gather his words. So did all of us over 40 & that would be all the first cousins. Patience is needed for listening, because good stories can't be rushed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>At the end of her story in the Columbia river reader, she writes " I had the best toes. But I think I can skip the spiffy pedicure next year.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Georgia size=2>Nancy</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><I><B>From:</B></I> <A href="mailto:EugeneMelvin.roots@comcast.net">EugeneMelvin.roots@comcast.net</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><I><B>Date:</B></I> 08/15/06 20:47:13</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><I><B>To:</B></I> <A href="mailto:or-roots@sosinet.sos.state.or.us">OR List Roots</A>; <A href="mailto:ORFORUM-L@rootsweb.com">GFO List Roots</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><I><B>Subject:</B></I> [or-roots] Reunions</DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">There was an interesting article in the Tuesday August 15, 2006 Oregonian, Food Section, about an Italian/American family that has been doing family reunions for the last fifty years.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">I wonder how many other Families are doing reunions that we never here about and what a great opportunity this would be to promote Genealogy and the resources we have to those who may not be aware of us.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">Over the last couple of years I have heard a lot of individuals looking for individuals and just as many others willing to help.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But I have not heard of many family reunions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">To this end I propose opening up this forum to the discussion of Family Reunions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The ups and downs, the ins and the outs, the successes and failure<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">Any takers<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
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