With Fall Foliage blazing in Cameron County, Mason Grove is silently awaiting the return to spring, summer and the Mason/Grugan Reunion on AUGUST 15, 2009! Mark your calendars, plan your vacation, reserve your motel room or camp site, contact your relatives and let's all plan to make 101 bigger and better than the centennial event celebrated in August!
It was wonderful to see so many come early for the morning activities and stay late for the dancing and singing. We'll have even more activities on the agends for the coming year so plan now to make a longggggg day of it.
For those of you who may have missed the 3 pm meeting, the following are our Secretary Bibi Parks minutes:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2008
After lots of hard work and planning by the officers the 100th Annual Mason-Grugan Reunion was held on Saturday, August 16, 2008, always the 3rd Saturday in August, with approximately 175 relatives and friends attending. Dinner was at noon.
Prior to dinner there was coffee and donuts with Steve and Sue Dechant in charge. Thanks. Also, there was a nature walk, led by Mark Johnson and Dan Johnson. This was a big hit because it started out with everyone seeing the birth of baby snakes. Eek. Then we saw and identified flowers, trees and listened to birds. Quite enjoyable. Then, led by Jerry Mason, there was a Rifle Shoot with 30 participants. Scott Mason won 1st place, Adam Mason 2nd place and Les Burlingame, Jr. 3rd place. All had a great time.
Mid Montegue, former local Minister, led us in prayer before dinner. Dinner, as usual, had everything imaginable to eat. There must have been 5 tables full of food. Nobody should have gone away hungry or without gaining a few pounds.
After visiting and reminiscing, Nancy Vojtasek, Co-President, opened the meeting at approximately 3:00 P.M. Nancy thanked the guys that gave us the new concrete floor, they put a lot of hard work into getting it ready, the First United Methodist Church for the use of tables and chairs, Kris Johnson for making Gibson Girl outfits, they were very nice and the young ladies looks just lovely.
The Secretaries report was read by Bibi Park. June Leonard made a motion to accept as read seconded by Kitty Reid. Motion approved.
The Treasurers Report was given by Martha Schalles. Ending balance in 2007 was $3,351.21 with $1,810.00 ($1,000. Was given by Ellen Snyder (in memory of Bill) being sent to Martha prior to this reunion plus interest of $32.78. Expenses for the floor were $3,723.62. Leaving us a balance of $1,470.38. Income for 08/16/08 was $905.17 and expenses were $573.74. Giving us a balance of $1,801.81.
Income was realized from a collection of $687.42, donuts $9.20, 50/50 (won by Keith Summerson who donated his share back) $93.00, Candy counts and Plate chances $19.00, Lollipops $9.00, Auction $31.50, Relish $12.50, Bingo $12.55, Rifle Shoot $31.00.
Expenses were Betsey Flite for games $51.42, First United Methodist Church for use of tables and chairs $25.00, Kathy Johnson – Corn $45.00, Band – The Country Express $370.00, Nancy & Tom V. for hot dogs, rolls, condiments, supplies and candy $82.32. Postage and table cover were donated.
Two big trees are in need of being removed before they fall down on the pavilion. We also would like benches built around the inside of pavilion for better seating arrangements.
Nancy also thanked Jessie Schalles for taking care of our Web Site and Billie Stone for being in charge of the shirts. Discussed the year that should be put on shirts, 1907 or 1908?
Awards were given as follows:
Newest Married – Terry and Jill Summerson
Longest Married – Madelyn and Anson Mason – 67 years
Person/persons with most children attending –
Kathy and Mark Johnson – 5
Don Summerson – 5
Most Grandchildren –
Madelyn and Anson Mason-6
Jerry and Delia Mason – 6
Most Great Grandchildren – Madelyn and Anson Mason – 10
Oldest Gentleman – Anson Mason –89
Oldest Lady – Dorothy Card – 97
Youngest Child – Tyra Davis – 5 months She received a red
sweat shirt with 100th on it.
Traveled Greatest Distance – Germany –
Eric, Carmen, Tatjana & Noah Jensen
Traveled Greatest Distance in U.S. –
Susie & Richard Harmon – California
All were given certificates.
Mike Johnson, Co-President, thanked Glenda Card for all of her hard work on Genealogy.
Meeting adjourned.
John Mason took approximately 52 people on an enjoyable hay ride. Betsey Flite did games for the kids. They had bingo and Nancy did an auction. Plus different guessing games were provided by various folks and added to the fun and profit....thanks! There was a 50/50 won by Keith Summerson who gave his winnings back to Reunion. Thanks Keith. Some of the men pitched horse shoes.
We had corn on the cob and hot dogs cooked over an open fire for supper. Thanks to Mark and Phil for roasting our supper!
The new floor was cleared off and the band, the Country Express, thanks to Sally Novosat , played for dancing. We finally had square dancing again. It was so nice to see the younger people plus some of the not so young out square dancing. The music was great. Anson sang a song and then sang with his Granddaughter. Also, the band played music for other dancing. I left at 9:00 P.M. but I understand quite a few sat around the fire with Phil Jensen and Gene Card playing guitars and people singing.Johnson, Eric and Philip Jensen, Simeon and Sam Johnson and Steve Summerson.
Thanks Nancy and Mike for the wonderful job you did in organizing the 100th Reunion
Thanks also to the fellows who transported the tables and chairs. Namely, Mike and Dan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our thanks to Bibi for providing an excellent account of the day! While many were thanked for their efforts, I'm sure just as many were missed and we do apologize and thank each of you who came, supported, worked, talked about or just wished us well.
Please do encourage all family to try to join us for our 2009 Reunion and talk it up at Thanksgiving and over the Christmas Holidays.
If you want to make suggestions and/or volunteer to do anything, feel free to email me at nvojtasek@yahoo.com We want and need feedback if we are to provide the kind of get together you want to attend!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
PICTURES GALORE!!!!
Many of the events and activities of our 100th Reunion were captured by cameras and appear in the photobucket. The easiest viewing is to select slideshow and just sit back and watch. They all erroneously have my name attached to them. As you know, Sam Johnson took the group picture shown both here and there and a couple segment pictures that give a closer view. You can see this photo bigger on photo bucket. Thank you Sam....you did a great job!
Mike Johnson sent me 100 pics that have my name on them as I uploaded them onto the page. Tom and I did snap a few. You can share yours by signing up and signing in....its not too hard---I managed it and I'm technically challenged! You may also feel free to caption existing photos. Again, I believe it will be easy when you sign in.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
What a wonderful day!
Mike and I are so glad so many of you made your way to Mason Grove and took part in our 100th Mason Grugan Reunion! It was great for us to see so many smiling faces having fun visiting with family, chowing down on great food, enjoying a beautiful Pennsylvania day, playing games and square dancing! We'll give a more detailed report of the day a bit later....just wanted to say hi and remind everybody that the 101st will be even better!!!! Mark your calendars now for the 3rd Saturday in August!
Mike took about 100 pictures that I'm going to put in the Photo Bucket now. I'll do the same with yours if you want to share them. Just email them to me at nvojtasek@yahoo.com .
More later....check back from time to time for any related family news that comes my way.
Mike took about 100 pictures that I'm going to put in the Photo Bucket now. I'll do the same with yours if you want to share them. Just email them to me at nvojtasek@yahoo.com .
More later....check back from time to time for any related family news that comes my way.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Final Week to Get Ready!
Hi All!
I hope everybody is getting ready to make those favorite casseroles and desserts....only a few days until we seriously get ready for our reunion. While you're at it, don't forget any folding tables...even card tables will be helpful and folding chairs. We will most likely run short and will appreciate your efforts to help us out. While I'm on that subject, Mike Johnson and I were talking a couple months ago about how great it would be to build a bench around the pavilion like the old pavilion had. Not only would it provide seating for watching square dancing, business meetings and other entertainment, but it would help with the mealtime seating dilemma. A board across the back providing a back to help our backs and prevent us from falling backwards when drifting off to sleep during boring parts of the meeting. Sound good??? Make a motion that we proceed and then volunteer to do it or at least help!
Betsey Flite says she is planning on have face painting available for youngsters who are so inclined. No age limits on those youngsters...young at heart qualifies, too! Betsey says there will be lots of games and activities for all. Don't forget Mark is leading a short Nature Hike around the grove at 11 am for young and old alike.
We got a nice note from Richard Harmon, Thousand Oaks, CA who is heading this way with his wife. Eric Jensen and his family have just arrived from Kitzingen, Germany and are visiting brother Phil, mother Zelia and other family. I've heard of a few others making a long trip to be part of this 100th Reunion and we look forward to seeing everyone....even those of you living on Mason Hill! BE THERE!!!!
Come early......stay late.....rest up before Saturday and on Sunday, but give us your Saturday and we'll try our best to give you a memorable day!
Schedule (changes and additions may be made)
Coffee and Donuts at 9:30 am organized by Steve Dechant (free coffee and donation for donuts please)
Horseshoe Tournament organized by Simon Johnson begins at 10:00 am
Nature Walk led by Mark Johnson at 11:00 am
Lunch begins at high noon (12:00 sharp)
Family Photograph to be taken at 1:30 pm
Kiddie Games led by Betsey Flite at 1:45 pm and Bingo called by Tom Vojtasek
Business meeting, as always, at 3:00 pm
Hayride provided by John Mason after business meeting
Bingo called by Tom Vojtasek after business meeting
Auction of donated items at 4:15 pm. This will go on until all sold or until band starts at 6 pm
Drawings for items sold by chance, 50/50, and winners of guessing games announced at 4:45 pm
Supper at 5:00 pm (Leftovers plus corn-on-cob and hotdogs)
Square Dancing from 6:00-9:00 pm Music and square dance caller : Country Express
Jam session/sing-a-long led by Phil Jensen from 9 pm on
I hope everybody is getting ready to make those favorite casseroles and desserts....only a few days until we seriously get ready for our reunion. While you're at it, don't forget any folding tables...even card tables will be helpful and folding chairs. We will most likely run short and will appreciate your efforts to help us out. While I'm on that subject, Mike Johnson and I were talking a couple months ago about how great it would be to build a bench around the pavilion like the old pavilion had. Not only would it provide seating for watching square dancing, business meetings and other entertainment, but it would help with the mealtime seating dilemma. A board across the back providing a back to help our backs and prevent us from falling backwards when drifting off to sleep during boring parts of the meeting. Sound good??? Make a motion that we proceed and then volunteer to do it or at least help!
Betsey Flite says she is planning on have face painting available for youngsters who are so inclined. No age limits on those youngsters...young at heart qualifies, too! Betsey says there will be lots of games and activities for all. Don't forget Mark is leading a short Nature Hike around the grove at 11 am for young and old alike.
We got a nice note from Richard Harmon, Thousand Oaks, CA who is heading this way with his wife. Eric Jensen and his family have just arrived from Kitzingen, Germany and are visiting brother Phil, mother Zelia and other family. I've heard of a few others making a long trip to be part of this 100th Reunion and we look forward to seeing everyone....even those of you living on Mason Hill! BE THERE!!!!
Come early......stay late.....rest up before Saturday and on Sunday, but give us your Saturday and we'll try our best to give you a memorable day!
Schedule (changes and additions may be made)
Coffee and Donuts at 9:30 am organized by Steve Dechant (free coffee and donation for donuts please)
Horseshoe Tournament organized by Simon Johnson begins at 10:00 am
Nature Walk led by Mark Johnson at 11:00 am
Lunch begins at high noon (12:00 sharp)
Family Photograph to be taken at 1:30 pm
Kiddie Games led by Betsey Flite at 1:45 pm and Bingo called by Tom Vojtasek
Business meeting, as always, at 3:00 pm
Hayride provided by John Mason after business meeting
Bingo called by Tom Vojtasek after business meeting
Auction of donated items at 4:15 pm. This will go on until all sold or until band starts at 6 pm
Drawings for items sold by chance, 50/50, and winners of guessing games announced at 4:45 pm
Supper at 5:00 pm (Leftovers plus corn-on-cob and hotdogs)
Square Dancing from 6:00-9:00 pm Music and square dance caller : Country Express
Jam session/sing-a-long led by Phil Jensen from 9 pm on
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Just 3 weeks left!
Billie reports a surge in t-shirt orders during the last day or two. If you want one....contact her NOW!
Plan now to arrive early for the horseshoe tournament at 10 am. Simon Johnson made new pits and is gearing up to resurrect this old favorite! And Mark Johnson is leading a Nature Walk around the grove at 11 am. Mark will be sure to get you back in time for our 12 Noon Meal!
Country Express will be providing music for square and other dancing from 6-9 pm.
BRING CHAIRS AND FOLDING TABLES IF YOU CAN AS WE MAY RUN SHORT....AND YOU WANT TO BE COMFY WHILE CHATTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Plan now to arrive early for the horseshoe tournament at 10 am. Simon Johnson made new pits and is gearing up to resurrect this old favorite! And Mark Johnson is leading a Nature Walk around the grove at 11 am. Mark will be sure to get you back in time for our 12 Noon Meal!
Country Express will be providing music for square and other dancing from 6-9 pm.
BRING CHAIRS AND FOLDING TABLES IF YOU CAN AS WE MAY RUN SHORT....AND YOU WANT TO BE COMFY WHILE CHATTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Monday, July 21, 2008
T-shirt order deadline extended...act now!
Billie Stone has announced that she is extending the deadline to order T-shirts for the reunion. Please email or call her this week if you will be wanting shirts for you or your family. Her contact info is below following the green depiction of the embroidered design.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
JUST 5 WEEKS TO GO!
Hannah and Grace Johnson stylishly pose in their "Gibson Girl" outfits that were the rage in 1908!
Shannon Johnson, a new family member and recent bride of Simon Johnson also will be a style setter at this year's get together!
Chris Johnson spent some timeduring the cold winter researching the look and then created these reproductions on her trusty sewing machine. Well done, Chris!
Speaking of tables and chairs, Mike Johnson is making arrangements to borrow tables and needs help in the picking up and return them from an Emporium church. Please email Mike if you can help out with this at blackoak@windstream.net.
And we all will give a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Mike & Chris Johnson who have generously arranged for a very nice port-a-potty to be delievered to Mason Grove for our use during this year's reunion. This financial contribution plus the time both have worked on preparing for this year's festivities is greatly appreciated!
Ellen (Mason) Snyder has also made a generous contribution that has been used to complete the payment for the new floor, provide our square dance band and general operating funds for this year's shindig. The floor was expensive and drained our pockets dry! THANK YOU, MOM! Please dig deep and help us keep this thing going for another hundred years! It will if the young people today have fun and enjoy coming together in our special place. They will want their families to experience the Mason Reunion for decades to come!
Glenda Card will be setting up a display of historical information. She will be available to talk history and answer your questions, share her extensive knowledge of Cameron County and its inhabitants.
If you haven't checked out these web sites, you might find them interesting:
http://www.thelittlemuseum.org/ and http://www.cameroncountygenealogy.org/
And don't forget our expanded schedule of activities will require you to arrive earlier and make a day of it! Horseshoe Tournament on new our new horseshoe pit -thank you Simon!- begins at 10 am. And the nature walk led by Mark takes off at 11 am and most certainly will be back in plenty of time for our 12 Noon meal!
Nancy
Sunday, June 1, 2008
T-Shirts Can be Ordered NOW
Hi All!
More BREAKING NEWS! Billie Stone has designed a t-shirt that she is taking orders for right now. I will try to include a picture of the design in this message...if not successful, it will be in photobucket. I am easily exasperated by all things technical!
The shirts will be Jerzees T-Shirts, forest green in color with gold lettering. The adult shirts are heavyweight 5.6 ounce, 50/50 cottton/polyester short sleeve and come in sizes S-5XL.
The above design will be embroidered in the upper left of the shirt.
The youth shirts are the same as the adult shirts and come in sizes XS-L.
The price is $10.00 each for both adult and child sizes.
To order, please indicate clearly in a letter the sizes you want and include a check for the proper amount made payable to: Mason Reunion. Send the check and your specific order to Billie Stone at: 1510 Grimesville Road, Williamsport, PA 17701.
If you have any questions concerning the shirts and/or your order you may reach her at stoneyridgeminiatures@comcast.net or 570-326-0274.
Ah, I see I did add the picture.....not where I wanted, but who's complaining!
Get those orders in soon.....the earlier the better! July 15 will be the deadline for ordering these historic shirts!
See ya'all in living color in August!
Nancy
Project completed
Hi All!
Received the following email from Mark Johnson last night. Thanks to Mark and the volunteers who worked hard on each of the 3 work days this spring and last fall we will be able to enjoy a solid safe floor for this year's festivities! Photos of yesterday's work are in our photobucket.
Greetings,
I, duly elected chairman of the Mason/Grugan Building Committee, expressly pronounce and declare that the floor renovation is finally accomplished and fit to use. In retro-examination of the process all of the following objectives have been met:
-The old wooden floor has been razed and incinerated-
-The site has been leveled and graveled-
-The new floor has been formed and re-enforced-
-The concrete has been poured and finished-
-The site has been graded with topsoil, seeded, and mulched-
I now declare our work finished for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Thank you everyone for the good work and tenacity put forth to achieve our goals. Many, many good memories will be kept.
At this coming reunion's business meeting we can address future grounds keeping and building needs such as benches and tables, railings( if even necessary), tree removal, site landscaping, pavilion trim, etc. For now, speaking on behalf of the entire work party, we sign off for another year. Mark Johnson
Received the following email from Mark Johnson last night. Thanks to Mark and the volunteers who worked hard on each of the 3 work days this spring and last fall we will be able to enjoy a solid safe floor for this year's festivities! Photos of yesterday's work are in our photobucket.
Greetings,
I, duly elected chairman of the Mason/Grugan Building Committee, expressly pronounce and declare that the floor renovation is finally accomplished and fit to use. In retro-examination of the process all of the following objectives have been met:
-The old wooden floor has been razed and incinerated-
-The site has been leveled and graveled-
-The new floor has been formed and re-enforced-
-The concrete has been poured and finished-
-The site has been graded with topsoil, seeded, and mulched-
I now declare our work finished for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Thank you everyone for the good work and tenacity put forth to achieve our goals. Many, many good memories will be kept.
At this coming reunion's business meeting we can address future grounds keeping and building needs such as benches and tables, railings( if even necessary), tree removal, site landscaping, pavilion trim, etc. For now, speaking on behalf of the entire work party, we sign off for another year. Mark Johnson
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
help needed SAT, MAY, 31
Another email that needs circulation! If you can help it will be greatly appreciated. The more hands the easier it is for all!
Greetings,
We will be having our final work day this Saturday, May31, at 7:am. We will be removing forms, grading around the new concrete with topsoil, seeding and mulching. Bring wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels. Should be a short and easy day. Thanks.Mark Johnson
Send Mark an email if he can expect you to help out:
kathyandmarkj@yahoo.com
Greetings,
We will be having our final work day this Saturday, May31, at 7:am. We will be removing forms, grading around the new concrete with topsoil, seeding and mulching. Bring wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels. Should be a short and easy day. Thanks.Mark Johnson
Send Mark an email if he can expect you to help out:
kathyandmarkj@yahoo.com
email from Garry Grugan
Hi All!
I received an interesting email this week from a distant relative I'm sure we'd all like to meet in August. Garry Grugan has shared with us some fascinating info he has collected about some descendants of Joseph Mason and Margaret Grugan who served our country in the military from the Civil War on. I've asked Jessie to find the best way to share his attachment on our web site so it will be easily available to all. I don't think this blog is the best place. But we'll see what Jessie decides :) Until then, here's the email Garry sent:
Hi Nancy,
My name is Garry Grugan, I am not sure if we have made contact in the past or not but I have been compiling a family history and genealogy encompassing all of the known descendants of Charles Grogan and Agnes (Nancy) Burney. This, of course, includes the Mason-Grugan lines through their daughter Margaret. I descend through the line of their son James. My goal is to have a publication ready for print before the end of this year. I have been working on the project for about ten years now and have made two trips back to Clinton County and the Lock Haven area where the sons settled. We held our first Grugan Family Reunion in Lock Haven last summer and had a great turnout. I live in Illinois making first hand research a little difficult at times but have made a lot of local contacts that have helped out over the years. The history and genealogy numbers nearly 500 pages at this time and includes a large quantity of photographs, personal biog raphies, obituaries, complete genealogies to the present day whenever possible along all male and female lines and a great deal of additional information on families and individuals.
I would love to have input from more members of the Mason-Grugan lines on the finished product. I am always happy to share my research and am always looking for additions and corrections. I have been following the website you created for the reunion and noticed your request for veteran information. I have been working on a section for the family history that tries to identify all of the veterans that descend from Charles Grogan, who we have recently learned was a Revolutionary War veteran himself. Anyway, I have attached this portion of our family history in as an Adobe Reader Document (I can also send it as a Microsoft Word Document if you prefer) that you may use on the website if you wish. This includes all descendants of Charles and Nancy so there will be many others mixed in with the Mason lines. I hope this helps and there is a possibility that I will be in Pennsylvania during the time of the reunion. My parents still l ive in southeast PA in West Grove near the Delaware-Maryland border. Hope to hear from you soon and enjoy the family information.
Sincerely,
Garry Grugan
105 Fawn Court
Washington, IL 61571
gagrugan@comcast.net
I received an interesting email this week from a distant relative I'm sure we'd all like to meet in August. Garry Grugan has shared with us some fascinating info he has collected about some descendants of Joseph Mason and Margaret Grugan who served our country in the military from the Civil War on. I've asked Jessie to find the best way to share his attachment on our web site so it will be easily available to all. I don't think this blog is the best place. But we'll see what Jessie decides :) Until then, here's the email Garry sent:
Hi Nancy,
My name is Garry Grugan, I am not sure if we have made contact in the past or not but I have been compiling a family history and genealogy encompassing all of the known descendants of Charles Grogan and Agnes (Nancy) Burney. This, of course, includes the Mason-Grugan lines through their daughter Margaret. I descend through the line of their son James. My goal is to have a publication ready for print before the end of this year. I have been working on the project for about ten years now and have made two trips back to Clinton County and the Lock Haven area where the sons settled. We held our first Grugan Family Reunion in Lock Haven last summer and had a great turnout. I live in Illinois making first hand research a little difficult at times but have made a lot of local contacts that have helped out over the years. The history and genealogy numbers nearly 500 pages at this time and includes a large quantity of photographs, personal biog raphies, obituaries, complete genealogies to the present day whenever possible along all male and female lines and a great deal of additional information on families and individuals.
I would love to have input from more members of the Mason-Grugan lines on the finished product. I am always happy to share my research and am always looking for additions and corrections. I have been following the website you created for the reunion and noticed your request for veteran information. I have been working on a section for the family history that tries to identify all of the veterans that descend from Charles Grogan, who we have recently learned was a Revolutionary War veteran himself. Anyway, I have attached this portion of our family history in as an Adobe Reader Document (I can also send it as a Microsoft Word Document if you prefer) that you may use on the website if you wish. This includes all descendants of Charles and Nancy so there will be many others mixed in with the Mason lines. I hope this helps and there is a possibility that I will be in Pennsylvania during the time of the reunion. My parents still l ive in southeast PA in West Grove near the Delaware-Maryland border. Hope to hear from you soon and enjoy the family information.
Sincerely,
Garry Grugan
105 Fawn Court
Washington, IL 61571
gagrugan@comcast.net
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
Hi All!
As we enjoy the special events and activities of this holiday, let's pause to remember those family members that made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our great nation! Our roots here in America pre-date the country with Joseph Mason having been born in Philadelphia on August 12, 1775!
Our ancestors most likely were involved in most of the wars and conflicts since that time. And we all probably know of some family members of the military who became casualties of one of these wars. Robert Jensen, the oldest son of Zelia and Arthur Jensen and brother of Phil and Eric, was killed during the Tet Offensive over 40 years ago in Viet Nam.
Send me info on others we can remember here nvojtasek@yahoo.com
On another topic, we are OVERJOYED to report a generous contribution has been received from a family member that will go a long way in making this reunion memorable! But that doesn't take the pressure off the rest of us....we still need money for usual operating expenses and maintenance. There have been requests to have the bench rebuilt around the inside of the pavilion, there are a couple dead or dying trees threatening the pavilion that need to be removed, and so on. Please dig keep and help your family keep traditions going strong!
Nancy
As we enjoy the special events and activities of this holiday, let's pause to remember those family members that made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our great nation! Our roots here in America pre-date the country with Joseph Mason having been born in Philadelphia on August 12, 1775!
Our ancestors most likely were involved in most of the wars and conflicts since that time. And we all probably know of some family members of the military who became casualties of one of these wars. Robert Jensen, the oldest son of Zelia and Arthur Jensen and brother of Phil and Eric, was killed during the Tet Offensive over 40 years ago in Viet Nam.
Send me info on others we can remember here nvojtasek@yahoo.com
On another topic, we are OVERJOYED to report a generous contribution has been received from a family member that will go a long way in making this reunion memorable! But that doesn't take the pressure off the rest of us....we still need money for usual operating expenses and maintenance. There have been requests to have the bench rebuilt around the inside of the pavilion, there are a couple dead or dying trees threatening the pavilion that need to be removed, and so on. Please dig keep and help your family keep traditions going strong!
Nancy
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Pictures of floor
Dear Friends and Family,
The floor is done and the photos from both work days, May 3 & 17 are now in our photobucket. Check them out and be as thrilled as I am that this job is done and we'll have a safe and solid floor beneath our feet for years to come!
Thanks to all who made this happen!
Nancy
The floor is done and the photos from both work days, May 3 & 17 are now in our photobucket. Check them out and be as thrilled as I am that this job is done and we'll have a safe and solid floor beneath our feet for years to come!
Thanks to all who made this happen!
Nancy
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Great job, Jessie!
Thanks for setting up this blog. I thik it may be a better forum for our family. Mike just sent
pictures of todays work at the reunion grounds. The floor looks beautiful! Thanks to all you guys who got up bright and early and made this happen today!
I'll put the pics in photobucket when I figure out how.........
See you all in August!
Nancy
pictures of todays work at the reunion grounds. The floor looks beautiful! Thanks to all you guys who got up bright and early and made this happen today!
I'll put the pics in photobucket when I figure out how.........
See you all in August!
Nancy
Monday, May 12, 2008
Letter from the President
Hi all!
The weeks and months go by quickly and now we’re gearing up for the 100th Mason Grugan Reunion. Saturday, August 16, 2008 will be here before we know it and we’ll all be heading for Mason Hill and our annual get-together. We are planning a full day of activities for all ages and hope you plan to be there and notify all your family members of the Reunion.
Work has begun on replacing the floor so you won’t have to worry about falling through rooted boards or sliding into a hole! Mark Johnson and crew built the forms the first weekend in May. The floor will virtually eat up all of our financial resources. But there is little doubt that a safe and solid floor that will not require repeated maintenance had to be a priority. The floor is estimated at $3,323.62. We have $3,378.91.
Country Express, a country western band with a caller will be providing music from 6-9 pm. Plan to be among the first to do-si-do on our new floor. We’ll have lots of room now to spread out and kick up our heels! Thank Sally Novosat for securing our band! Now it is up to us to dig deep and make a donation that will pay for this band.
We’re hoping some adventurous folks will don period dress….rumor has it that Chris Johnson is at the sewing machine stitching up some Gibson Girl wear. We hope to see both guys and gals remembering the 1908 fashion scene!
Early birds are encouraged to arrive by 10 am for a Horseshoe Tournament. Steve Dechant will have the coffee hot and we’ll get our day started bright and early!
Mark Johnson will be leading a nature walk at 11am. Let the man that lives on Mason Hill point out some of nature’s wonders to you and your family.
Our Noon-time meal will begin at 12:00 SHARP—please arrive in time for the blessing at noon.
The afternoon will be filled with lots of activities you may join or time to chat with folks you seldom see. The usual BINGO, children’s games and hayride will take place. As will the Business meeting, more musical entertainment and some fund raising. You all know money doesn’t grow on those big old hemlock trees….floors, bands, and other incidentals cost money and we need your help!
In addition to the floor and band, there are some other items that cost money each year and need to be considered. Fix the outhouse, replace it or rent a portable? Corn on the cob and hot dogs for supper? Postage to send this letter and other reminders? We are trying to collect email addresses to lessen the costs. Please help by sending us the names and addresses of everyone in your family. Please show us your support and interest in having this annual get together by putting a check in the mail today!
Help us by volunteering. If you have any time or would like to coordinate any part of our reunion please let us know. We need all the interested family members to become more active.
Donations in the form of a check made payable to “Mason Reunion” and sent to Treasurer Martha Schalles, 534 Sterling Run Road, Driftwood, PA 15832. Please consider making or donating an item we could raffle during the day. It would be nice to have a table full of guessing contests, etc where for a dime you can guess the number of something in a jar, or what’s hidden in a cake, or whatever clever idea you can come up with to help cover our costs!
When the fires burn low and the band’s unplugged, Phil Jensen will be strummin’ his guitar and singing old favorites, blue grass and whatever and you are invited to hang out also! Bring your guitars, tambourines and harmonicas and join the hootenanny!
We’re very slowly getting a web site up and running. Hopefully it will spring to life soon! Please check it out at www.masongruganreunion.com to see it bloom!
Any ideas or thoughts you’d like to share, please do so. You can reach me at
nvojtasek@yahoo.com or 507 Vineyard Way, Poinciana, FL 34759 or 863-496-1527.
Thanks and see you soon!
Nancy Vojtasek
Preliminary Schedule of Activites- check back for additions and changes!
Coffee and Donuts at 9:30 am organized by Steve Dechant (free coffee and donation for donuts please)
Horseshoe Tournament organized by Simon Johnson begins at 10:00 am
Nature Walk led by Mark Johnson at 11:00 am
Lunch begins at high noon (12:00 sharp)
Family Photograph to be taken at 1:30 pm
Kiddie Games led by Betsey Flite at 1:45 pm
Business meeting, as always, at 3:00 pm
Hayride provided by John Mason after business meeting
Bingo called by Tom Vojtasek after business meeting
Auction of donated items at 4:15 pm This will go on until all sold or until band starts at 6 pm
Drawings for items sold by chance, 50/50, and winners of guessing games announced at 4:45 pm
Supper at 5:00 pm (Leftovers plus corn-on-cob and hotdogs)
Square Dancing from 6:00-10:00 pm Music and square dance caller : Country Express
Jam session/sing-a-long led by Phil Jensen from 10 pm on
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