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<\/a>50th Annual Gray Reunion, West Deer Twp., PA<\/p><\/div>\n
Every few years I get nominated to serve on the Gray Family Reunion committee. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s as much my good looks or superior intelligence that attracts voters as much as my willingness to serve my greater family and preserve the centuries-old Scottish tradition called \u201cThe Gathering of the Clan.\u201d [See \u201cTable of Contents: Gray”<\/a> for background on our notable family.] As I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I remember extravagant picnics with barbequed chicken or hamburgers and hot dogs cooked over flaming embers while we youngsters stood around waiting to be served. The get together was always held near a swimming pool so we could cool off with our cousins in the hot summer sun. Back then, if I recall, a controversy \u201cbrewed\u201d as to whether the committee should provide beer along with soda and Lemon Blend. More recently, the only controversy has been how much to spend on a pavilion to shelter the dwindling number of attendees. While we try to have representation on the reunion committee from each of the four families produced by Great-grandparents Robert and Annie [see \u201cThe Descendants of Robert & Annie Gray\u201d<\/a>], each year it seems to get more and more difficult to find volunteers. But, this year my brother Carl and I will be part of a small group of leaders who try to continue this family tradition for at least several more years, until we reach the golden anniversary in 2004. As I prepared to write this article, I was immediately drawn to the big cardboard box of reunion supplies \u2013 paper plates, aluminum foil, styrofoam cups, etc. \u2013 which becomes the proud possession of one of each year\u2019s secretary. On top lay a small black three-ring notebook filled with minutes of the business meetings held after each year\u2019s evening meal with reports of weather conditions, attendance, activities, and next year\u2019s committee people. What follows, then, are a few highlights of a few of those many meetings. As you read them, you may have memories of your own and be willing to share them with the rest of the family. You may do so by contacting me: Larry Pearce [LRYPEARCE@GMAIL.COM<\/a> ].<\/p>\n I can find no records of the first Gray Reunion, although my mother, Ruth Pearce, believes that it was held the summer of 1955 on the enormous front porch of the original Gray farm near Bairdford. The second, however, was held July 21, 1956, at the Cottonwoods Grove in North Park, Allegheny County, PA. That grove is located in the middle of a large secluded lot of trees down over the hill from the swimming pool. [For more about the fascinating history of the park, see \u201cSettlement at Pine Creek.\u201d<\/a>] The secretary [her identity is unknown] begins: \u201cThe day of the reunion was quite miserable\u2014rainy and cool\u2014but yet our attendance was about 66. Each family was charged $2.00 and after the expenses of the game prizes and refreshments were deducted ($29.77), there was a balance of $8.10, which will be kept toward next year\u2019s expenses.\u201d Normally, in business meetings, money matters are reported on a separate sheet by the treasurer, but these reports are liable to include anything. For example, the secretary continues, \u201cFour watermelons were left, but they were sold at 80 cents each giving the kitty another $3.20, making the total amount of cash for next year\u2019s expenses $11.30.\u201d<\/p>\n During the business meeting, the children were herded off for games. But, the adults who stayed for the meeting also had an opportunity to win prizes. This will give you an idea of the categories: The 1956 reunion minutes end with the announcement of a committee meeting for the following month, a list of both the present and the new committee persons, and their phone numbers.<\/p>\n The Third Gray Reunion was held at a new location, the new Zelienople Community Park just off Route 19 in Butler County. The venue only cost $10 to reserve. Several other changes were authorized by the committee, including serving ice cream and popsicles and moving the meal time up to 4:30. Some complained that there hadn\u2019t been enough orange \u201cpop\u201d or any lemonade at the last picnic, so they were provided, but the real concern was that the new pavilion be able to accommodate a full buffet, as the North Park shelter left some folks out in the rain. Everyone seemed happy with the arrangements. The family activities that year included volleyball, horseshoes, tug-o-war, sack races, and bingo. The real treats were swimming in the new pool and Ben Ziegler\u2019s home movies after dark, which had been taken at the first reunion in 1955. A total of 82 people were in attendance, 77 family and 5 guests, making it the largest yet.<\/p>\n With the reunion growing, the committee took on additional responsibilities in 1958, including having four women serving food instead of allowing each person to take their own. Perhaps there had been some food taken and not eaten earlier. The committee also ordained that anyone bringing a guest had to pay for that person. By 1959 that policy was changed somewhat. The business minutes say, \u201cFor the first time, anyone could attend without bringing additional food, since a planned menu provided most of the needs of all.\u201d Indeed, hamburgers and hot dogs with all the condiments, corn-on-the-cob, ice cream, hot and cold drinks and more were furnished, making the covered dishes optional. The new committee became so generous that year that they simply requested a donation from each family. The August 8, 1959, minutes also were written creatively and with humor by Lew Hagan: The 1960 committee officially placed in the reunion planning meeting minutes that one senior family member, Elma Gray, \u201cbe prohibited from baby sitting on the day of future reunions.\u201d One person offered to contribute to her the money equivalent to her earnings if she would stay for the entire picnic. That person, Ben Ziegler, presented Elma with $1.50 in pennies the day of the reunion. Acting shocked, she donated the money to the treasury saying that she hoped none of the \u201cblack sheep\u201d on the committee would get any wild ideas how to use it. Secretary Mary Perry recorded, \u201cI think she was convinced she is needed here.\u201d Mary also jokingly wrote about the amount of food that year: In 1961 there were 57 in attendance, 32 adults and 25 children, down from 73 the year before. The large amount of food they consumed and the low cost of it, compared to today\u2019s prices, is amazing: And, the park fee was still just $10.00. But, the picnic that year began with a strange twist, according to Secretary C.A. Monteith: The 1963 minutes are missing, but the 10th anniversary reunion in1964 was held at North Park\u2019s Paddock Grove, high atop the hill near the horse stables and the golf course. In true Gray fashion, someone complained about the location. We\u2019re not sure if it was the air quality or the distance from the swimming pool. Another complained that there wasn\u2019t enough lemonade.<\/p>\n In 1965 the gathering was moved to the beautiful Ontario Grove, down along the shore of the lake in North Park, and a professional photographer was hired to take an official family portrait for the first time. That practice has been repeated many times since. A new game was introduced that year where people had to guess the subjects of old pictures. The 63 in attendance enjoyed that. In another first, the clan elected all young people to plan the 1966 reunion, including me, a senior in high school.<\/p>\n So, at the committee meeting, chairman and cousin Bob Gray persuaded us to hold the next picnic directly across from the North Park swimming pool as a convenience for families with children. In another first, my cousin Tom Gray and I decided to make home made ice cream that afternoon. Along with the usual games, prizes were awarded for the tallest and shortest man and woman, the baldest man, and the longest haired boy and girl. The official attendance was 72, which seemed to please the crowd, so they reelected the young committee for 1967.<\/p>\n The venue changed to several new locations in North Park over the following years. By 1969 the committee decided to hold a White Elephant exchange. People brought unusual wrapped objects and exchanged them. Several notable suggestions from the minutes that year include getting a grove with electricity that is closer to the restroom facilities and \u201cdevising some means by which the \u2018youngsters\u2019 can communicate with the \u2018oldsters\u2019 and vice versa.\u201d The generation gap has always been a problem, so the Grays sought to solve it.<\/p>\n In 1971 the first raffle was held at which several hams were awarded. This raised $21.50 but the cost of the hams was $11.98. In 1972 a turkey and a ceramic piece were raffled. That was the year that the Gray reunion moved to Butler\u2019s Alameda Park. The picnic was to return there the following year but a great rain storm flooded the Akela Grove and the reunion was postponed to September 1st at another grove.<\/p>\n The reunion continued at Alameda in Butler through the 25th anniversary in 1979. The average attendance over the years remained between 60 and 70 people. As the years went by, many of the older folks could no longer attend. That year Roberta Welsh brought a tape recorder to capture messages for the elderly Aunt Janet Kellar. I remember one year, my Uncle Merle, who thought he was young and invincible, broke his leg in the annual softball game. Everyone \u201cpitched\u201d in to carry him to a car for transport to the hospital. The real heroes in 1980 were my Grandmother Bertha [A.K.A. Paul] and Great-aunt Bertha [A.K.A. Will], both in attendance while in their late 80s and early 90s. Unfortunately, Grandma became ill that day, and that was her last public outing before her death that fall. I remember that a severe electrical storm forced everyone home early that year. The park had more flooding problems later that year, and with the threat of the bridge to our grove washing out, the committee decided to move the reunion up the road to Butler Memorial Park in 1981.<\/p>\n In a sense, the Gray Reunion \u201ccame home\u201d in 1982 when it was held in the municipal park not far from the original Gray homestead near Bairdford, Allegheny County. Bertha [Will] was there at age 93. One of the earlier traditions was resumed, the on-site chicken barbeque, but another took on an intergenerational flavor, the annual softball game. That became so popular that it was difficult to get people to remain in the pavilion after dinner for the business meeting.<\/p>\n Attendance seemed to waiver in the coming years. Only 43 were there in 1984. A new dinner seating plan was inaugurated. Numbers were drawn by the adults, and those with matches had to eat together. As usual the comments later at the business meeting were worth the wait. Merle Gray reported that he \u201csat beside Clara and didn\u2019t even get indigestion.\u201d Ralph Pearce assured everyone that they didn\u2019t have to go home with their partner from dinner. The beautiful Deer Lakes Park near Russellton, Allegheny County, was the scene of the1993 reunion. Some complained about the distance of the shelter from the parking area and other inconveniences, so it was moved back to Bairdford. In 1996 and \u201897 the picnic was held at Connoquenessing Boro Park, Butler County. By now the understanding was that whomever chaired the committee could hold the picnic wherever they wanted, but most of the picnics have been at Bairdford Park, probably because of its proximity to the original Gray homestead.<\/p>\n In 1998 the pre-reunion committee meeting took the form of what was called \u201cThe Senior Gray Gathering of the Cousins.\u201d<\/a> The meeting was recorded and tapes were sent to each family. [For a transcript, click on the link above.] The reunion itself, the 44th annual, was held August 2nd at the Bairdford Park with 66 in attendance. The water service had been shut off so some of the committee had to return home to get enough liquid to make punch and coffee. But the children discovered water in the restrooms and filled balloons for throwing. The warm afternoon was capped off with a delicious potluck supper, games for the kids, and softball for the young adults.<\/p>\n The following year, Bob and Bonnie Gray were gracious in having everyone at their farm near Renfrew, Butler County. The clan enjoyed the horses, pony rides, and a petting zoo, but the weather was unseasonably cold that year, and the committee had to scramble to get enough coats and jackets for everyone to wear.<\/p>\n For the years 2000 through 2002, the annual Gray reunion was held again at Bairdford Park in West Deer Township with attendance each year around 60 people. The first year the weather was chilly, but last year the temperature soared to the mid-90\u2019s. The children were kept cool and entertained with water balloons, sponge tag, and a variety of squirt guns. There was little horseshoe pitching and softball in 2002 because of the extreme heat. The oldest in attendance was Ruth Pearce at 85 and the youngest were her twin great-grandsons, Garrett and Ryan, each two years old, Ken and Niki Pearce\u2019s children.<\/p>\n The committee has arranged to have this year\u2019s 49th annual picnic at yet another location, Adam\u2019s Township Park near Mars, Butler County. The brand new facility promises better restrooms, running water, trees, and grass\u2014all at a lower price. Despite its reputation as complainers, the Gray family has always welcomed new ideas and supported the choices made by their reunion committee over the years. One of the ideas generated by the present committee that will be explored in the future is an early afternoon tour of our original Gray farm and several family cemeteries. Many of the younger generation are not familiar with these sites.<\/p>\n In closing, I\u2019m certain that we haven\u2019t captured all the good stories from almost 50 years of Gray Reunions, but at least we\u2019ve begun to record, summarize, and preserve a few of these many memories. As the Golden Anniversary of our clan picnic is planned for 2004, perhaps we can call on the older folks to recall other important happenings related to our large family. This is the time to share the narrative wealth that over eight generations of Grays have produced in America. Whether the Robert Patterson and Annie Sims [Norris] Gray reunion continues beyond 2004 will be up to the descendants, but one thing is for certain: As with the ancient Scottish tradition, regular clan gatherings strengthen and unite any county\u2019s most valuable resource, the family.<\/p>\n Last revised 3\/25\/22<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Larry Pearce 2\/1\/05 Every few years I get nominated to serve on the Gray Family Reunion committee. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s as much my good looks or superior intelligence that attracts voters as much as my willingness to serve … Continue reading
\nMary and Charles Duggan<\/strong> came the longest distance\u2014some 1500 miles from West Palm Beach, FL;
\nBoth Bertha Grays<\/strong> [my grandmother, Bertha Ione, A.K.A. Bertha Paul for my grandfather, and Great Aunt Bertha Bonin, A.K.A. Bertha Will for her husband William] tied for most immediate family members present.
\nJim Ferguson<\/strong> won the chest expansion contest. Anne Ferguson and Anne Harnish tied in the smallest waist contest.<\/p>\n
\nIt was a \u201cGray day,\u201d so to speak, since the weather was overcast with heavy clouds, and it looked as though rain would fall at any moment. This, however, proved untrue, so the day was a successful one.
\n<\/em>
\nLew makes note that the \u201ccook out\u201d served by the men was a \u201cgrand success\u201d as it provided a diversion from the regular routine. He says, \u201cThe corn was especially good.\u201d He records that the women gave the men a vote of approval with applause, but that \u201cthis may prove to be bad,\u201d because now the ladies know that the men know how to cook. In another part he underlines a passage: \u201cThe assessment per person was not quite high enough, so this might be of interest to future committees.\u201d He closes with a list of activities, placing \u201ceating\u201d the most popular, but says, \u201cOther sports were not noted, although they may have taken place beyond the writer\u2019s knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThere was a great deal of food left over, which was sold. This was due to many people not eating as much as usual. What\u2019s the matter? Everyone on a diet????? I know one Aunt Elma who sampled every bit of food there, especially the assortment of five desserts. She\u2019s no piker.
\n<\/em>
\nFinally, though everyone seems to enjoy the Zelienople Park, she writes, \u201cAnother complaint: Not enough of those \u2018little houses.\u2019 One of the little Grays just didn\u2019t make it fast enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 20 dozen ears of corn ($7.00)
\n\u2022 20 pounds of hamburger and 10 pounds of hot dogs ($18.90)
\n\u2022 30 dozen hamburger and hotdog buns ($6.40)
\n\u2022 3 pounds of butter ($2.07)
\n\u2022 15 quarts of ice cream ($7.50)
\n\u2022 6 cases of soda ($7.49)<\/p>\n
\nAfter chasing all the big industrial and financial moguls out of the park, who wanted to use the shelter we had reserved, the Gray Reunion got off to a happy start.
\n<\/em>
\nThough the treasury was solvent, the Grays decided to go back to a format of the old family-style picnic. Also, some in the crowd wanted to move the get together to another park, so in 1962 it was returned to North Park, but this time the McCandless Grove, right at the entrance to the swimming pool. A little rain and a lot of wind kept the attendance low that year.<\/p>\n
\nIn 1986 Great aunt Bertha [Will] attended at the age of 97, just a month from her 98th birthday, but that was the last year she was able to be there. In \u201988 the number of Grays participating jumped to 58, but with the numbers declining on average and the cost of the Bairdford pavilion increasing each year, the committee decided to change the venue yet again.<\/p>\n