masterplan
Ballew Broaddus Simpson Noland Family Reunion
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he Ballew Broaddus Simpson Noland Family Reunion consists of two families; the sisters in one family married the brothers in the other family. Also of interest is that the original members were children of slaves whose families were split by slavery and other marriages took place. The purpose of the reunion was to bring together the families of mothers on one side and brothers on the other side. Our 75th Reunion was in Richmond, Kentucky, and the 76th will be in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Sometimes we do a getacquainted family fact sheet, but usually people just start by greeting those they don’t know or haven’t seen since last year. A letter is sent yearly, announcing where and when the upcoming reunion will be held. We have an established Executive Board/Planning Committee. The board consists of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer (present and all past officers are a part of this group). Once an officer, always a member of the Executive Board. Families pay dues for the reunion. Sometimes we charge for activities that include entrance fees. The organizer is the person, persons or families who invited
Ballew Broaddus Simpson Noland Family Reunion
the reunion to their city. Stewardship generally passes every two years through general elections at the business meeting. Children participate in age-appropriate games. They attend all Saturday activities and take part in the talent show and dancing. They also give speeches or perform solos on our Sunday program. We get-acquainted with games and food on Friday. Saturday may consist of a morning tour, depending on the location. Saturday afternoon is the annual picnic and the evening is the banquet/talent show/dance. Sunday is church, business meeting and family dinner. Reported by Gail Taylor, Lexington, Kentucky
Q?
Gail Taylor’s challenge: Our biggest dilemma is getting members to the reunion who neither fly nor drive. It is becoming almost impossible to secure enough members to fill a 32- or 52-passenger bus. Arranging transportation after a set deadline poses serious problems. Younger members fly. Many aged members who do not fly still attend the reunion.
Ballew Broaddus Simpson Noland Family Reunion volleyball game.
Newton Family Apron Exchange
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he apron exchange is a relatively new tradition to Newton Family Reunion women. It started when one cousin sent a touching poem about aprons to another cousin on Facebook. It reminded her of how their mothers and grandmothers always wore aprons and how they used them. All the women get together Saturday evening — sometimes before supper, sometimes after, depending on when we can get out of the kitchen. The exchange is like a White Elephant gift exchange. Aprons can be new, used, homemade or store-bought. I have seen some that are well used and close to threadbare, and at the other extreme one that had sparkling lights. Each woman models the apron she brought and then picks a number to determine who gets first pick. An apron can be exchanged only three times. Sometimes we end up with one we like, sometimes we don’t — those come back again the next year. Some of our less formal traditions include going to the creek, the kids trying to be brave enough to go into the graveyard at night, or the older generation sharing their funny or scary reunion stories. Thanks to Leah Stark, Houston, Texas, and Libby Stark Sanson, Tyler, Texas
Newton Family Reunion apron exchange. Left to right: Carly Hinds, Pam Wildblood, Martha Spetz, Mikala Noonan, Irma Defries, Skylar Vera. About 35 participated in the exchange.
REUNION CELEBRATIONS SEPTEMBER 2017 v REUNIONS 33