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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com                       www.TheCatoctinBanner.com                         The Catoctin Banner Newspaper                                       October 2018             Page 17
            Annual Wivell ‘Grandma’s Girls’ Reunion



                                                                                      Pictured left, Roy and Helen
               by Cathy (Wivell) Yoder and                                             Wivell of Emmitsburg are
                                                                                       pictured on their wedding
               M. Phyllis (Wivell) Green                                              day, October 20, 1926. They
                                                                                        were dedicated parents
               Since 1978, Grandparent’s Day                                           of 20 children. The male
            has been celebrated the Sunday                                              descendants of Roy and
                                                                                        Helen enjoy an annual
            after Labor Day. September is a                                            ‘Savage’ Wivell reunion.
            good time to make plans to honor                                            Since 2015, the female
            past generations.  A few years ago,                                       descendants now enjoy the
                                                                                      ‘Grandma’s Girls’ Reunion.
            a friend described a memorable
            breakfast that she organized with                                          Pictured below, Roy and
            cousins to honor their grandmother.                                          Helen Wivell at their
            We liked the idea, so in March of                                          25th wedding anniversary
                                                                                            celebration.
            2015, the women in our Wivell
            family held the first “Grandma’s                                                                                Above left to right, daughters of Helen and Roy
            Girls” gathering to honor our                                                                                  Wivell are Joan Matthews, Helen Reaver, Therese
                                                                                                                             Topper and Genny Little wearing the aprons
            matriarch, Helen Guise Wivell.  We                                                                               that are now a highlight of the annual Wivell
            have met annually for lunch since                                                                                    ‘Grandma’s Daughter’s’ reunion
            then to catch up with each other,
            share wonderful memories, and                                                                                    week with a wringer washer.  It
            enjoy our time together.  The Wivell                                                                             starts with building a fire to heat
            men camp each summer in Western       the family. That seemed                                                    the water. This year we honored
            Maryland, so this event is for the    like a lofty goal, but                                                     our Grandfather, Roy Wivell, on
            ladies.                               several aunts and cousins                                                  the anniversary of his 120th birth
               Many local people have heard       used nice cloth napkins                                                    year, with special memories from
            of, and even remember our             leftover from a family                                                     his children, an interesting picture
            grandparents, Roy and Helen Wivell.    wedding and fabric                                                        and farm display, and a decorated
            They met at a barn dance at the       remnants on hand, to                                                       birthday cake.
            Guise farm. They were the dedicated   piece together more than                                                      Chinese auction items are always
            parents of 20 children.  They had a   60 aprons, complete with                                                   a favorite and help to cover expenses.
            deep faith in God and a commitment    lined pockets, at no cost.                                                 Popular prizes include copies of a
            to their community. They possessed a   A lovely lady added a                                                     framed family picture from times
            strong work ethic and passed this on   beautiful and priceless                                                   past, and expertly handcrafted gifts
            to their children. For younger family   embroidered rose with                                                    from family members. Games to
            members who never knew them, the      “Grandma’s Girls” logo to each bib,   displays depicting family members    entertain young and old alike have
            “Grandma’s Girls” gathering is a      making them a special keepsake.      and birthdates. Cousins make          been a highlight. This year’s “Human
            good opportunity to learn about their   Everyone was encouraged to make    centerpieces from flowers, elaborately   Hungry Hippos” probably was the
            ancestors and feel connected. Each    memories with their new aprons, but   decorated cupcakes, or meaningful    all-time favorite. Ladies from 4 to
            year approximately 50 ladies, from    we think they are too pretty to get   mementos. Food items are assigned    70s tried their luck at snatching the
            babies to late 80s attend.            dirty.                               alphabetically based on first names.   most balls with a round laundry
               Our grandmother Wivell usually        Family members lend their talents   There is always a good selection of   basket while lying on little wheeled
            wore an apron, so aprons have been    to make the occasion special. If we   delicious food.                      dollies, as someone held their legs and
            an ongoing theme at our gatherings.   mentioned each by name we would         Prior to the event, cousins have   pushed them in the right direction.
            The first year everyone was asked     surely miss someone. Prayers of      selected a theme, prepared questions,    If this sounds like something your
            to bring an apron to wear and small   thanksgiving are always offered      and interviewed family members.       family would enjoy, we hope you
            prizes in several categories were     and loved ones are remembered.       They then share these stories about   will organize a family gathering to
            awarded. We all had a hearty laugh    One of our cousins brings her        our ancestors and life growing up in   honor your ancestors. We hold our
            at the apron dance as the long line of   tea cup collection each year and   the 30s, 40s and 50s on the family   gatherings at a local church hall,
            apron clad ladies tried to keep time   we look forward to a special cup    farm. Times have certainly changed    but smaller families could go to a
            to the fast drum beat of the Hawaiian   of steaming tea or coffee, served   and the stories are quite interesting,   restaurant or home. It takes some
            War Chant. Last year some cousins     in dainty china from times past.     like the laborious process of washing   planning, but it is a lot of fun and
            suggested that we make aprons for     Another cousin developed poster      12 loads of laundry three times a     well worth the effort.






                                                    Showing Friday Evening
                                                        Showing Friday Evening
                                                    November 9, 2018 @ 7pm
                                                        November 9, 2018 @ 7pm
                                               Join us for this Special
                                                    Join us for this Special
                                                 Thurmont Church of
                                                     Thurmont Church of
                                                        the Brethren
                                                           the Brethren
                                                    Community Event
                                                        Community Event
                                                       Thurmont Church of the Brethren
                                                    Thurmont Church of the Brethren
                                                          14 North Altamont Ave, Thurmont MD 21788
                                                       14 North Altamont Ave, Thurmont MD 21788
                                                                  301-271-2634
                                                                                           Admission is Free
                                                                 301-271-2634
                                                                                              Admission is Free
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