EAST DIXFIELD – The 43rd annual reunion of Stillman and Carrie Morse Harlow descendents was held Aug. 10 at Rover’s Campground. There were 44 present.

A potluck dinner was held, followed by swimming, sharing family photos and a business meeting. Recorded at the meeting was one new birth, a son, Matthias Paul Bryant, born Aug. 6, to John and Patty Bryant of Hardwick, N.J. Matthias is the newest grandson of Ray and Aline Bryant of Jay.

Two new marriages were recorded. Beth Blodgett and Douglas Perrault were married on Aug. 24, 2002. She is the daughter of Steve and Nancy Bryant Blodgett of Livermore Falls. The second marriage noted was that of Amy Ouellette and Phil Newman, married on April 26. She is the daughter of Rosey and Linda Bryant Ouellette of Jay. Both Beth and Amy are the granddaughters of Richard Bryant of Jay.

One death was reported, that of Gloria Luciano of Livermore Falls.

Recognition was given to the oldest members present, Richard Bryant, 90, and Natalie Bryant, 82. The latter recipient graciously gave the prize for oldest woman to the second oldest woman present, Aline Bryant. The youngest member in attendance was Zavier Lovely, 23-month-old son of John and Melissa Navarro Lovely. Zavier is the grandson of Antonio and Betty Bryant Navarro and great grandson of Norman and Natalie Bryant.

The award for traveling the furthest went to Gary and Claudia Bryant Byrd from Poulsbo, Wash. Families with the most generations present were Norman and Natalie Bryant and Dick Bryant. Norman and Natalie were presented with a family tree book, and Dick received a certificate noting the appointment of Grandpa Stillman Harlow as judge in 1929.

The child closest to age 8, Cristina Navarro, daughter of Antonio and Betty Navarro, received the Maine children’s book, “Visiting Aunt Sylvia’s.” The prize for shortest hair went to Tom Hamlin and that for longest hair went to Cathy Byrd Taylor.

The current officers were reinstated.

It was decided at the business meeting to announce to all members that at next year’s reunion the family will hold a special vote. They will vote to decide whether or not they should continue the reunion as a gathering of the Harlow descendents or begin the first annual reunion of the descendents of Ernest and Myrtle Harlow Bryant. Next year’s reunion will be held at Rover’s Campground in East Dixfield the second Sunday of August.