Page 17 - October Banner 2018_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Annual Wivell ‘Grandma’s Girls’ Reunion
by Cathy (Wivell) Yoder and
M. Phyllis (Wivell) Green
Since 1978, Grandparent’s Day
has been celebrated the Sunday
after Labor Day. September is a
good time to make plans to honor
past generations. A few years ago,
a friend described a memorable
breakfast that she organized with
cousins to honor their grandmother.
We liked the idea, so in March of
2015, the women in our Wivell
family held the first “Grandma’s
Girls” gathering to honor our
matriarch, Helen Guise Wivell. We
have met annually for lunch since
then to catch up with each other,
share wonderful memories, and
enjoy our time together. The Wivell
men camp each summer in Western
Maryland, so this event is for the
ladies.
Many local people have heard
of, and even remember our
grandparents, Roy and Helen Wivell.
They met at a barn dance at the
Guise farm. They were the dedicated
parents of 20 children. They had a
deep faith in God and a commitment
to their community. They possessed a
strong work ethic and passed this on
to their children. For younger family
members who never knew them, the
“Grandma’s Girls” gathering is a
good opportunity to learn about their
ancestors and feel connected. Each
year approximately 50 ladies, from
babies to late 80s attend.
Our grandmother Wivell usually
wore an apron, so aprons have been
an ongoing theme at our gatherings.
The first year everyone was asked
to bring an apron to wear and small
prizes in several categories were
awarded. We all had a hearty laugh
at the apron dance as the long line of
apron clad ladies tried to keep time
to the fast drum beat of the Hawaiian
War Chant. Last year some cousins
suggested that we make aprons for
Join us for this Special
Thurmont Church of
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com
Pictured left, Roy and Helen
day, October 20, 1926. They
descendants now enjoy the
‘Grandma’s Girls’ Reunion.
the family. That seemed
like a lofty goal, but
several aunts and cousins
used nice cloth napkins
leftover from a family
wedding and fabric
remnants on hand, to
piece together more than
60 aprons, complete with
lined pockets, at no cost.
A lovely lady added a
beautiful and priceless
embroidered rose with
“Grandma’s Girls” logo to each bib,
making them a special keepsake.
Everyone was encouraged to make
memories with their new aprons, but
we think they are too pretty to get
dirty.
Family members lend their talents
to make the occasion special. If we
mentioned each by name we would
surely miss someone. Prayers of
thanksgiving are always offered
and loved ones are remembered.
One of our cousins brings her
tea cup collection each year and
we look forward to a special cup
of steaming tea or coffee, served
in dainty china from times past.
Another cousin developed poster
Showing Friday Evening
Showing Friday Evening
November 9, 2018 @ 7pm
November 9, 2018 @ 7pm
Join us for this Special
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
301-271-2634
The Catoctin Banner Newspaper
Wivell of Emmitsburg are
pictured on their wedding
were dedicated parents
of 20 children. The male
descendants of Roy and
Helen enjoy an annual
‘Savage’ Wivell reunion.
Since 2015, the female
Pictured below, Roy and
Helen Wivell at their
25th wedding anniversary
celebration.
Above left to right, daughters of Helen and Roy
Wivell are Joan Matthews, Helen Reaver, Therese
displays depicting family members
and birthdates. Cousins make
centerpieces from flowers, elaborately
decorated cupcakes, or meaningful
mementos. Food items are assigned
alphabetically based on first names.
There is always a good selection of
delicious food.
Prior to the event, cousins have
selected a theme, prepared questions,
and interviewed family members.
They then share these stories about
our ancestors and life growing up in
the 30s, 40s and 50s on the family
farm. Times have certainly changed
and the stories are quite interesting,
like the laborious process of washing
12 loads of laundry three times a
Admission is Free
Admission is Free
October 2018 Page 17
Topper and Genny Little wearing the aprons
that are now a highlight of the annual Wivell
‘Grandma’s Daughter’s’ reunion
week with a wringer washer. It
starts with building a fire to heat
the water. This year we honored
our Grandfather, Roy Wivell, on
the anniversary of his 120th birth
year, with special memories from
his children, an interesting picture
and farm display, and a decorated
birthday cake.
Chinese auction items are always
a favorite and help to cover expenses.
Popular prizes include copies of a
framed family picture from times
past, and expertly handcrafted gifts
from family members. Games to
entertain young and old alike have
been a highlight. This year’s “Human
Hungry Hippos” probably was the
all-time favorite. Ladies from 4 to
70s tried their luck at snatching the
most balls with a round laundry
basket while lying on little wheeled
dollies, as someone held their legs and
pushed them in the right direction.
If this sounds like something your
family would enjoy, we hope you
will organize a family gathering to
honor your ancestors. We hold our
gatherings at a local church hall,
but smaller families could go to a
restaurant or home. It takes some
planning, but it is a lot of fun and
well worth the effort.