Charleston 2022

 
 

Charleston 2022 Recap

Thank you to all that journeyed to Charleston, SC to celebrate our 53rd Annual Family Reunion. We all benefitted so much by having that time together!

Here is a synopsis for those who unfortunately didn’t get to join us, and a reminder and reminiscence for those who did.

Thursday, July 7 (Bonus Day)

We spent the afternoon playing games and getting reacquainted, and later enjoyed a late lunch of sandwiches and chips. We capped off the evening with indoor games and later a group went bowling.

Friday, July 8

Some met for the complimentary breakfast in the hotel, and others met for lunch and shopping at the nearby Tanger Outlets or downtown. As folks arrived, we tried to pose and post each family group in our “Charleston, SC” frame. We were reminded of past gatherings as folks showed up wearing their favorite t-shirts from prior years.

Children and young people enjoyed the hotel pool, located in a tree-covered area with a nearby firepit. The Group 1 city tour was at 4:45, and we had good reports from that experience. Because of high winds, our evening beach excursion was moved to the hotel pool, with the addition of indoor cornhole and card games. We followed tradition with evening pizza for all in the Hospitality Room and games and fellowship into the night. (Our thanks to Jimmy Ferree for sponsoring the city tours for everyone. We are sincerely grateful.)

Saturday, July 9

Most spent this day exploring the area and those who didn’t shop or sightsee on Friday did so on this day. Some regrouped and spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach. Group 2 city tour was at 4:00 and was another hit. We reconvened at 7:00 for our Family Dinner (banquet) where we wore our new t-shirts and all-white attire.

At dinner, we heard short messages on Faith, Family, and Fellowship from our family clergy in attendance – Miles Siler, Ben Free, and Neal Siler. During dinner we also acknowledged:

  • Oldest Family Member Present – Lacy Free (82 yrs)

  • Youngest Family Member Present – Cole Street (2 yrs)

  • Traveled the Farthest (this year we acknowledged ALL who made the effort to come a great distance)

o   Lazelle Free, Jr. – California

o   Earlene Moore – Texas

o   Sherri Nicholson – Michigan

o   Kenneth Nicholson – Michigan

o   Vanessa Street – New York

  • Oldest T-shirt Worn – Iris Matthews - 1990

After dinner we posed for our group portrait, taken by our family photographer, George Curtis, then settled in for our Annual Auction led by Stan Lewter.

Sunday, July 10

After breakfast and before checkout, we met for our Memorial observance. Family members who did not venture to Charleston were able to join us via Zoom. Rev. Neal Siler gave the opening prayer and we shared the visual presentation of those who had passed since our (virtual) reunion in July of 2021. In addition to the visual presentation, we shared memories of those we lost.

We also used this time to cite changes and developments in our lives and to thank those who worked to make this weekend happen. Rev. Miles Siler delivered our closing prayer, giving thanks for the time we had together and requesting traveling safety as we departed. He also welcomed us in advance to Wilmington, NC, where our 54th Reunion is scheduled for July (6) 7-9, 2023.

Total attendance this year = 62.