LISBON – The 33rd annual meeting of the Sylvester Cemetery Association and the Sylvester family reunion sponsored the association were held at the MTM Community Center on Aug. 26. Members, their families and guests from eight states, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Utah, represented three major family lines from Richard and Naomi Silvester.

Two classrooms of the former elementary school provided accommodations for the family picnic, reunion and the annual business meeting, which was conducted by Raymond W. Sylvester, president of the association.

A moment of silence was held in memory of Louise B. Sylvester of Auburn, widow of Charles W. Sylvester, who died Sept. 20, 2006, at the age of 96; Jerry Crawford, 19, of Sullivan County, Tenn., great-grandson of Joseph and Laura Sylvester Arnold, Oct. 23, 2006; and Barbara F. Sylvester of New Gloucester, wife of Raymond W. Sylvester, Aug. 1.

Welcomed were four new members for the fiscal year: Alfred Smith, a direct descendant of Elizabeth Silvester Lovewell, and his wife, Dorothy Smith, of Lisbon Falls; Dorothy Sylvester of Damariscotta, wife of member Robert Sylvester; and Dianne Barfield of Powder Springs, Ga., daughter of members Bernard and Lena Bean of Macon and descendant of Capt. Joseph Silvester.

All officers were re-elected for the following fiscal year: president, Raymond W. Sylvester of New Gloucester; vice president, Ralph B. Sylvester of Auburn; and secretary/treasurer, Ruth Sylvester Benjamin of Auburn.

Members had a tour of the Lisbon Historical Society Museum and archives, supervised by its secretary and archivist Dorothy Smith and treasurer and assistant archivist, Bill Barr.

Ross Campbell, 1-year-old son of Randy and Michelle Campbell of Hebron, a direct descendant of Captain Joseph Silvester, was recognized as the youngest attending and Winifred Maier of Freeport, a direct descendant of John Silvester, was the oldest at 94.

Assisting Ruth Benjamin with setting up the picnic, meeting and reunion were Ray Sylvester, Ralph B. Sylvester, Marion Sylvester, Bill Sylvester, Jeannine Pelletier and George Benjamin. Marion Sylvester took care of the registration table.

The next annual meeting of the Sylvester Cemetery Association and Sylvester family reunion will be held Aug. 24, 2008, at the MTM Community Center.