We finished another successful Rennels Family Reunion today. I'm sure more stories will surface as I think of them and (hopefully) as other people contribute them to the website, but I wanted to let you know of a few things.
First, as I passed through Arcola, IL yesterday, on my way to the Rennels Research Day, I stopped off at the home of Lois Christ Good, who had called about a week ago and wanted to donate some research she had done. I picked up a really neat notebook on the Fortney Family, taking them way back into the 1700's. I really haven't had a chance to study it yet, but it will be very helpful on the fortney Family Tree. Then I drove on to Charleston and met with Jeri Kuebitz of Valley Center, CA, Willa Rennels Ashby of Charleston, IL, Sharon McConnell Gannaway of Lerna, IL, and Joan Ingram Corrie of Oblong, IL. We were small but mighty! We discussed families, shared pictures, family histories, and stories for a very pleasant research day. Jeri ended-up being related to Willa through the Gilberts and Joan through the Garrisons.
Sunday was Reunion day! I don't have an official count, but I feel certain we had over 70 people there today, which was a nice crowd. There were about 25 people present who were attending the Rennels Reunion for the first time!!!! We opened up with 3 year old Rileigh Newell singing the Star Spangled Banner for us - once she got going, she did great! Could you sing the National Anthem when you were 3? Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance, being mindful of our cousins serving in the Military for our safety and liberty and then Rev. Kevin Ashby gave the invocation. We had tons of delicious food and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and visiting. We went around the room and introduced ourselves, which is always fun and usually entertaining! Billie Jean Weaver Brant had copies of her late husband, Toby Brant's book for sale and we had our usual tee shirts and stationary and pictures and histories for sale. We had a few contests, with Bob Frame being the oldest man at 88 and Mary Newell was the oldest lady at 90! Bob and his bride of 64 years, Maxine Rennels Frame swept away with the longest married award! The officers were retained for another year - David Kent Coy - President, Larry Rennels - Vice President, Sharon Frame - Secretary, and Willa Rennels Ashby - Treasurer.
We then had about 12 people follow me out into Hutton Township, where we toured the Five Mile House and grounds, then the Edmund Rennels home, the Whetstone Baptist Church, the Henry Leatherman Rennels home, the Stringtown Cemetery, the John Pennington Rennels home, and Whetstone Cemetery. Then 4 of us went on to the Brandenburg Cemetery to see where Granny Garrison was buried over 100 years ago. All in all we had a great day.