The Dobbin family reunites outside Memorial Chapel (above). Family members hike to Soco Falls (below).
JOYFUL REUNION FA M I LY R E C O N N E C T S AT L A K E J U N A L U S K A WITH LIGHT AND LAUGHTER
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he coronavirus pandemic interrupted the beloved in-person reunions that the descendants of Emory and Patsy Dobbin had enjoyed every year for 63 years. For their 64th reunion, family members met online and, although they were grateful to meet virtually, it wasn’t the same. They missed the in-person games, food and fellowship and the organic connections that happen when they see each other in person. “We missed being able to come, sit at the table and say ‘How are you, cousin? What’s going on?’ or just seeing someone you haven’t seen in years,” said Latarsha Singleton, a regular at the annual event.
ages and something everyone would enjoy,” said Paula Smith, chairperson for the Dobbin Family Reunion Planning Committee.
So, the planning committee for the 65th reunion began looking online and praying about where to hold the event. “We always try every five years to do a destination reunion at a place that has something to do for all
The Lake marked the farthest west that the reunion had ever been held for the family whose roots are in central North Carolina. They looked forward to experiencing a new place together, said Orlando Dobbin, a reunion planning
8 DISCOVER VISITOR GUIDE · 2022
The search led them to Lake Junaluska, a beloved retreat center for more than 100 years with an array of recreational activities, dining services, places to meet, a lakeside hotel, a chapel and an amenity much-requested by family members: rocking chairs. Lake Junaluska welcomes not only events such as conferences that fill the 2,000seat Stuart Auditorium, but also smaller gatherings like meetings, weddings, personal or group retreats, getaways and more.
committee member and chair of the executive board for the Descendants of Patsy & Emory Dobbin nonprofit organization. That the family has met annually for so long is inspiring and important, said Orlando, noting strong families build strong neighborhoods and strong neighborhoods build strong communities. Their family theme is “Keeping in Touch,” he said.