LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT:
It's that time of year again! Spring is right around the corner and that means it will soon be time for our 20th Farrar Family Reunion! Our reunion officially starts on Father1s day, Sunday, 15 June, and runs all week. If you wish to come on Saturday, 14 June, our campground will be open. Some of us do arrive on Saturday. If you do, plan to use Friday1s menu for Saturday, 14 June. If you want to arrive before the 14th, please make arrangements with Bob Farrar, our Treasurer, residing locally.
Our reunion supplies coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, ice, aluminum foil, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, garbage bags, toilet paper, dish soap, dishes, silverware, pots and pans. We also have an oven. If you plan to bake, bring a baking pan. We cook a big breakfast and evening meal together (see menu). Everyone is on their own for lunch. Any leftovers may be used for lunch or bring what you want for your family. Feel free to bring anything additional you may want or need during meals. Bring your own sleeping arrangements: motorhome, camper, tent, sleeping bag, etc. Please bring your lawn chairs. We have indoor flush toilets and showers. Or, if you prefer, there are motels close by. See listing on map.
We have a lake for fishing and swimming. Bring your own fishing gear and water toys. Children need life jackets or swim rings and MUST have adult supervision while at the lake. We have a nice playground area for the kids with climbing towers, swings, monkey bars, a swinging bridge, etc. Also a first class volley ball court, so bring your competitive spirit.
Make your plans now! Don1t miss our 20th Annual Farrar Family Reunion!! Barb
A BIT OF REUNION HISTORY:
An Excerpt from our 10th Annual Reunion Newsletter, April 1987:
It all started because of Jill, our Brother Bob's daughter. She held this thought of a Family Reunion in her mind for a number of years. I know, for when she was about 20 she wrote telling me of her dream. She was only awaiting the place and the means. Then, in June of 1978, it all came together. Jill sent out the call and we gathered at her home and acreage in Smithton, IL, for our very first week-long, camp-out, Farrar Family Reunion. It was a momentous occasion!
Besides the old patriarch, our Dad, and step-mother Pauline, seven of the ten brothers and sisters, with some of their children, came. Some didn1t know others, it had been so long. At first there was a little confusion, not knowing who belonged to whom. But the joy of all being together once again overcame; excitement abounded. Petty quarrels or misunderstandings of by-gone days were forgotten. Soon we were kids again, playing games and having fun. Around the huge, nightly campfire there was much laughing and ribbing as stories and happenings of our growing-up years were recalled. Some children could hardly believe some of the tales they were hearing, for the first time obviously, about their parents. They probably never thought of their parents as every having been young; but we were---once.
So impressed were we all by this eventful happening --- this revival and restoration of Family and Family ties --- we agreed, then and there, to cause it to be an annual Family tradition. This, to the enrichment of all, we have continued to do. For this we are ever indebted to the inspiration and the initiative of our niece, Jill.
Our sister Jean (Farrar) Hite, volunteered to have our 2nd Reunion at her place in the beautiful, rolling 3Hill Country2 near Austin, TX. There she made preparations all year long; feverishly as the time neared. Families from every direction crossed the Mississippi, the mountains, and the burning sands of Texas, for this, another exciting Gathering-of-the-Clan. There was so much to see and do. Besides all the food; the volley ball; the horseshoes; the huge, nightly campfire; there was hiking through the hills sighting deer and wild turkey; climbing a mountain and finding a buzzard's nest with black speckled eggs; wading the clear, rock-bottomed creek. We also fished for crawdads, found arrowheads, chased armadillos, gathered eggs and fed goats. In addition to all that, we even found time to tour LBJ's big spread on the Pedernales. And, just like Willie and Waylon, even went to LUCKENBACH, TX. Fantastic!--- Do we have fun? Do we have FUN?! Let me tell ya!
While some of us were sitting around the fire early one evening during this our 2nd Reunion, the question came up---where to have our 3rd Reunion? Our problem was that none of the rest of us had property large enough for "our kind" of reunion. There was one exception though. Our Brother Bob, some years before while anticipating future retirement, had purchased 200 wooded, unimproved acres not too far from where our Dad lived in retirement near Hardy, Arkansas. About this time during our conversation my son Ron suggested his Uncle Bob's place. There was a stirring amongst us. We hadn't though of it; or, if anyone had, they didn't mention it. All eyes turned quizzically to Bob. Bob, not yet retired and only visiting his property occasionally, was somewhat taken aback (he could immediately visualize the amount of preparatory work required). Haltingly, he reminded us there were no facilities, nor none planned. Some of us nodded; some commented about just roughing it. We perked up; there was encouraging discussion. Bob, recovering rapidly from his shock, realizing he held the key to our future Reunions volunteered his property on the spot. He stressed though, it could only be a primitive site; much work was needed beforehand; a clearing would have to be cut; outdoor toilets dug and built; a method determined to have water and a shower; a fire pit built; and much more.
The next day we held our first Business Meeting. All the above, including the "much more", were thoroughly discussed. It was decided our 3rd and future Reunions would be held on Bob1s property. That, in order to pay for the needed materials and supplies, the ten brothers and sisters assessed themselves $100 per year until voted otherwise. That we would dedicate one day of each Reunion as "Reunion Work Day"; thus giving all the opportunity to be involved in the continuous improvement and maintenance of our Reunion site.
And so it was. And now another 10 years have passed. And so it continues to be. We have continued the annual $100 assessment of the Original 10. The second generation, as they attained working age, volunteered their donations all during this time. Now the third generation is doing likewise. Near and distant Kin, Friends, and Visitors alike, impressed with our endeavors, have volunteered their work ethic and their monies to our cause. We are proud of and grateful for them all.
Yes; we1ve continued the "Reunion Work Day" too. All present get deeply involved in scheduled work. With this "sweet labor" we have continued to enlarge and improve every facility on our grounds and, while doing so, made it all cost effective with money in the bank for future opportunities and options. We are all winners; and we all know it.
That is why we could vote ourselves a reprieve during our 20th Annual Farrar Family Reunion, 1997, ..... NO WORK DAY THIS YEAR!!
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Specifically for our 20th Gala our ad hoc Entertainment and Activities Committee have several special events in the planning. These will be announced during our Reunion.
FLAG LOWERING CEREMONY:
Immediately after breakfast Father's Day, two volunteers will lower our Flag to half-mast during a moment of silence. We do this on this day in memory of all Fathers now deceased.
BUSINESS MEETING:
After the lowering of our Flag our President, Barbara Williams, will call the meeting to order. All present are invited to participate.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
We plan to have a professional photographer on the grounds Father's Day. Individual, Family, and group photographs may be obtained.
TV NEWS:
It is also planned a local TV station will have a crew on the grounds and the results will appear on the 5:00 PM newscast.
CANOE TRIP:
This is an exciting and enjoyable annual happening -- a float trip down the icy cold, rapid strewn Spring River. There is an eight hour and a four hour trip. If you are not thoroughly tanned, cover yourself. If you take the long trip plan a picnic lunch on a sandbar. In either case, bring sufficient drinking water, or other refreshments. Canoe and life vest rental about $20.00 per canoe.
A SPECIAL WELCOME:
We extend a special welcome to Wanda Jirsa's brothers and sisters and their families who will be coming from FL, IA, and IL, to join with us in Family renewal and visitation. We already know Jack and Raz, who were with us last year. They enjoyed us; we enjoyed them. Now we anticipate discovering more new-found friends. One is a musician. He does gigs. He plans a gig or two for us. Fantastic!
FAMILY TREE:
Our most current Family Tree (21 x 61), non-fadable, readily readable will be available during our Reunion. $15.00 each.
FARRAR FAMILY CEMETERY:
Geneva (Creek) Farrar, who has voluntarily maintained our Farrar Cemetery, on old Farrar homestead ground near Cave Springs, AR, advises Spring Cleaning has been accomplished and our Cemetery is available for visiting by all.
FARRAR'S ISLAND
GREAT NEWS! In the March 1997 issue of the Timely Tattler, official newsletter of the Henricus Foundation, restorers of Farrar's Island, and "Henricus Citie", ca 1612, announced acquisition of an additional 805 acres south of the Neck property they already own. Unbelievable! They now own the entire Island. Expanded ownership requires expanded plans. They have many. These include: hiking trails, boating, bird-watching, and fishing; also, campgrounds, hunting areas, and an environmental education center. We couldn1t ask for better current usage and care of this "Island" once owned by four generations of our forefathers. The Henricus Foundation, P.O. Box 523, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
THE FARRAR-MANSUR HOUSE & MESEUM:
Built by Oliver Farrar in 1797 it served as both a home and a tavern. This is where their large family was reared and all participated in the business. It was the most prominent place in Weston with many a gala ball held in the large hall on the second floor. It was also a way-stop for stages; and, being the warmest place in town on cold winter nights, most town meetings were conduced here. Now, full of antiques and memorabilia, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received much recognition for the interpretive presentation of their collections. The Weston Historical Society, On The Green, P.O. Box 247, Weston, VT , 05161 REMEMBER:
This reunion continues for the full week. For those who cannot participate for the full week, come and go as your schedule and time permits. We are anxious to see and visit with you all.