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.

Allen gathering

POLAND – The descendants of Octave, Joseph and Theodore Allen gathered at Range Pond State Park on Aug. 1 for the 19th biannual reunion of the Allen family.

After the opening prayer, written by the late George Allen Sr., the family recited the Pledge of Allegiance and played the Canadian National Anthem. During the business meeting a motion was made and carried to begin a membership campaign with dues at $10 a family every two years beginning with the year 2006.

After the meeting a picnic lunch was held. A horseshoe and bocce tournament was held followed by a balloon toss. Celine and Kelsey Martin and Ronda Lecompte led children’s games. After the games and a jog to the beach for a swim, ice cream sundaes were served. The family raffle produced more than 54 gifts for winners to take home.

Committee members consisted Jeanne Collins, chairwoman; Connie Lecompte, co-chairwoman, assisted by Roger Allen and Pauline Ouimette; registration, Maryann Lecompte-Mason; raffle, Pauline and Claude Ouimette, assisted by Roger Allen, Andre Mason and Aaron Webster; genealogy table, Roger and Linda Allen; adult games, Mike and Ike Lecompte, assisted by George Collins; children’s games, Celine and Kelsey Martin and Ronda Lecompte; set-up and ice cream, Sue Lecompte and Keith Duffey.

The next reunion will be held the first Sunday of August 2006. Officers are Janet Touchette, chairwoman; Paula Cummins, secretary; and J. Richards, treasurer.