WILTON – The ninth reunion of the descendants of Alton and Ethel (York) Adams was held Aug. 21 at Kineowatha Park.

A day of socializing and activities began with coffee and breakfast treats. A potluck supper and business meeting was held Saturday evening. A memorial service led by Candy Goodwin opened the meeting. Vera Corey and Nathan Goodwin lit candles and Corey read the names of deceased family members followed by prayer by Andy Goodwin and a moment of silence.

Candy Goodwin had a sample copy of a family cookbook that she is compiling. She needs more recipes. Richard Corey is doing a family photo album and would like to have anyone contact him if they have old family photos.

The statistical report given by the secretary included three births, three marriages, no deaths and two divorces. There are 120 direct descendants, 158 including spouses, and 11 direct descendant deaths.

It was voted to move the reunion date back to the fourth weekend in July.

Officers elected for a two-year term are: honorary president, Vera Corey; president, Andy Goodwin; vice president, Lucille Stevens; secretary and historian, Methel Goodwin, with assistant, Christina Goodwin; and treasurer, Butch Adams.

Committees include: food, Hal and Linda Stone, Tim Goodwin and Stephanie Hopkins; entertainment, Candy, Christina, Cassie, Andy, Kathleen, Courtney, Ashley and Nathan Goodwin.

Beedy gathering

WILTON – The 57th Beedy reunion was held on Aug. 22 at Kineowatha Park. The meeting was called to order by President Clarence Gordon of Livermore.

The secretary’s report was read by Carol Lanier of Turner and was accepted. Adelia Meyer of Solon reported the state of the treasury. Historian Paula Enman of North Jay gave an accounting of the births, deaths and updates on the family history, including members serving their country. She displayed albums that she had been working on in the previous years and family members were able to view and reminisce about them.

Cara Smith of Kingfield volunteered to look into the process of cleaning the headstones of Lallah and Kenneth Beedy, who are buried in the Sunnyside Cemetery. She also volunteered to create a color coded name tag from the four main lines of descendants for Aaron and Violette Dunham Beedy.

The meeting for 2005 was set for the fourth Sunday of August at Kineowatha Park. The park opens at 10 a.m. The meeting will start at 11 a.m. followed by the potluck lunch at noon. The food committee for 2005 is Cara Smith of Kingfield, Paula Enman of North Jay and Debbie McGrath of Greenville. Entertainment for 2005 will consist of open mike and auction.

The auction this year was conducted by Larry Duguay of Turner. The money raised each year helps to offset the cost of the facility, invitations and other items used yearly by the reunion attendees.

The oldest member attending was Raymond Beedy, 89. He is the great-grandson of Aaron and Violette Dunham Beedy. The youngest member was Jacob Charles Starnes, 11 months, son of Carrie and Joshua Starnes of Waterville. He is the great-great-grandson of the late Lettie (Beedy) Gordon, great-grandson of Nellie Tidswell of Auburn and grandson of Carol Lanier and Larry Duguay of Turner.

Traveling the farthest was Joseph Corson of Lake Megantic, Canada, son of Randy Corson.

The 2005 slate of officers remains unchanged: president, Clarence Gordon of Livermore; vice president, Cara Smith of Kingfield; secretary and publicity, Carol Lanier of Turner; treasurer, Adelia Meyer of Solon; and historian, Paula Enman of North Jay.

Members are reminded to save clippings and photos of interest to include in the family albums. They can be sent to Paula Enman or brought to the reunion in 2005.

Nineteen families were represented. There were 32 Beedys and three guests attending. Cara Smith is looking into a Jimmy Buffett theme for 2005.

Vining family

FARMINGTON – The 19th reunion of the Vining family was held Aug. 29 at the home of Wilfred and Janette Dunham. A potluck dinner was served at 1 p.m. and there was socializing before and after dinner.

At the business meeting conducted by President Donald Hamlin, it was mentioned that there has been three deaths during the year: Shirley Plaisted, Olive Bradeen and Christie Pingree.

It was voted to have the same officers for next year: president, Donald Hamlin; vice president, Lee Knowles; and secretary/treasurer, Lois Hall.

It was voted to have Wilfred Dunham serve as chairman of the Program Committee, and the family also voted to have an historian added. John Smith was named.

It was voted to put together a recipe book. The recipes should be sent to John Smith, 3 Maple St., Wilton, ME 04294. Smith also requested that information to update the family tree be sent to him.

It was decided to have the 20th reunion at Mount Blue State Park Center Hill in Weld on Saturday, Aug. 20. It is the area where the Vining families lived in years past. If it rains, the reunion will be held at Wilfred and Janette Dunham’s in Farmington.

A musical program followed the meeting, with Wilfred Dunham, Lois and Gary Hall and John Smith providing music.