Reunions

Gould-Hudson

The Gould-Hudson family reunion met at the recreation room of the housing development in Kidder on July 6.

Those attending were Jim Jones of Dawn, Emery Gould and wife Waneta of Jamesport, their daughter, Loreen Gould McDonald of Trenton, Bettie Afflack McGahen of Gladstone, Jay and Martha Groves of The Village in Cameron.

The family split when the sister married a Hudson south of Winston. The time was spent recording their movements to the present day.

42nd Annual Michael Reunion

The 42nd annual Michael-cousins family reunion was held Saturday, Aug.5, at the community building in Ravanna. Thirty-eight members of the Michael family were in attendance.

The reunion seemed to trigger some much needed rain as family members began to arrive. Early arrivals engaged in some lively games of pitch prior to the noon meal. Frank Michael asked the blessing. A delicious meal was catered by Debbie Moore and Edith Morin of Ravanna.

Prizes in several categories were awarded following the meal. The oldest family member in attendance was Lois Witcombe of West Bend, Iowa; youngest present was David Mayo of Lee’s Summit; person traveling the farthest was Bob Ogle of Longview, Texas; the winner of the door prize drawing was Bob Ogle; the children’s winner guessing the closest to the number of gummy bears in a jar was Hayley Michael of Gallatin; and the adult guessing the closest to the number of candies in a jar was Valerie Michael of Blue Springs.

A brief business meeting followed with motions passing to hold next year’s reunion at the Ravanna Community Building, the date to be the first Saturday in August (Aug. 4, 2007), to have the meal again catered by Debbie Moore and Edith Morin and to make Dick and Tori Michael the permanent "hosts" for the reunions with David and Kayla Michael the treasurers.

Reports were then given on each of the thirteen Michael brothers’ and sisters’ families. Two of the children, Lois Witcombe of West Bend, Iowa, and Frank Michael of Trenton, were in attendance. Frank Michael expressed sympathy to the families who lost loved ones this past year. Those who passed away were Marjorie Jackson, one of only two surviving sisters, and Clara Ruth Hines, daughter of the late Byron Michael.

An annual family auction is used to pay for the expenses of the reunion, including the catered meal. This is always a time for fun and some occasional heated bidding. The 2006 auction was no exception. Items included toys for the children, home grown produce, crafts and a few "white elephant" gifts. The highlights of the auction come when jellies, doilies, quilts and other such items made by family members are "up for bid."

Pictures of those in attendance from each family were taken to conclude the 2006 reunion.

Attending this year’s reunion were Frank and Julia Michael, Trenton; Dick and Tori Michael, Grain Valley; Lois Witcombe, West Bend, Iowa; Dale and Linda Harms, West Bend, Iowa; Dean and Barbara Wolf, Scranton, Iowa; Terry and Fleta Michael, Milan; Orville and Sarah Palmer, Trenton; Doug and Angel Michael, Andrew, Caleb, Hayley, and Maddison, Gallatin; Alex and Sarah Mayo, Austin and David, Lee’s Summit; Joy Michael, Bethany; Bob Ogle, Longview, Texas; Darryl and Hollie Shippy, Taylor and Payton, Blue Springs; David and Kayla Michael, Gallatin; Tim and Valerie Michael, Trent and Olivia, Blue Springs; and Stuart and Rebekah Reece, Julia and Katie, Lee’s Summit.