took me to the annual Singley Family
Reunion. Perhaps I should say they
"dragged" me there!
Originally, it was held inside a small
church in the community of Zion Grove
in Schuylkill County.
Somewhere along the line the church
itself was closed to us. But the family
continued to rent the church pavilion
out back for the meeting.
Looking at it from the eyes of a kid
those meetings would have been
mentioned in the dictionary to describe
the word "Boring!"
A lot of the adults probably could not
have cared less. But.....here's the problem.
Those "kids" are the ones who would
have to keep the reunion going as they
grew to be adults!
I almost always attended as a sort of
tribute to my Mother.
Many others drifted away as their
parents and grand parents passed on.
But over the last few years we've not
only looked forward to the annual get
together. My grand kids are anxious to
go too!
The trick? Well, while we still hold a
short business session at the church
pavilion......just to maintain tradition....
the bulk of activities have been moved
to the nearby Singley Family Farm!
Kids like farms!!!!!
And some of the "cousins", who
probably remember those "boring
meetings", now make sure there's some
interesting activities for the kids.
This year's highlight was a sling
shot type device with which the kids
could hurl water balloons!
Then there's "The Gator." A 4-
wheel drive vehicle on which we
drive exciting tours around the corn
fields and through the woods.
The food, which used to be made
of primarily of "Wimpies" and
such has been replaced by sausage
and fresh picked corn roasted on an
open fire pit!
There was a time when I wondered
if this historic family could really
reach it's 100th reunion. (We did it
last year).
Now with respect for history and
tradition....but with concern for the
next generation as well....it looks as
if we (the family) will be getting
together for many years to come!
Hope your family takes the
time to get together and that all
your NEWS is good!
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