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History of the Highlandlake Reunion & Community Gathering

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Church Parsonage circa 1880   Church before the restoration   Church as seen today in 2009
Church Parsonage ca. 1880   Church as seen before the Restoration. ca. 2003   Church as it is today. June 2009

 

Story of How Our Annual Reunion Came about
Taken from the first Reunion Record Book 1921-1952

The original story of the first reunion was probably written by Grace Coates as it is noted in the 1952 Secretary notes, that it was written in Grace’s hand. The version below was read on June 13, 1952 by Grace's daughter, Zola Coates. 

“My folks and I went up to the mountains as I recall, and stopped at the Paul Mead home in the Red Rock District on our way home. Old times were talked over. It was decided that the old timers should get together at Highlandlake. It was decided to hold a picnic at the old church sometime in August of the year 1922,* as near as I can remember. A goodly number were present although I have no records of the meeting. The group decided to meet again the next year on the 2nd Friday in June and this has become an annual affair. 

The records of the 2nd meeting show that Carl True was chairman. Mrs. Woodley was elected Sec. and the Committee for the ensuing year were F. H. Coates, L. O. Munson, R.H. Oviatt, R.S. True, M. G. Mead and Tom Evans. The next year E. H Markham was elected to fill a vacancy. W. H. Woodley served on the board for a time. The present board consist of Will Markham, Elza Knott, Carl True, Gussie Holmes and Mrs. Ed Kraig. 

It is a day of glad reunion to meet many old faces and also make new acquaintances. Much time is spent in reminiscing. The ranks of the ‘old timers’ are thinning out, but others carry on. 

Many times we have had a Pioneer Orchestra composed of Forbes Coates, Jess and Perry Evans, the Evans brothers still entertain us. 

The usual ones are in the kitchen taking care of the eats. 

Each year some of the group cleans the church for this annual affair. 

Mrs. Gussie Homes and Mrs. Clint Smith have been the program committee. 

This ends the part of the story of 30 years of reunions. No one can put into words the many happy times that have been had at each of these reunions.” 

*The date of the first reunion, according to the first reunion record book was actually on Wednesday, August 30, 1921. The reason for the date mix-up is probably that Zola Coates, in telling the story, was going on her memory rather than actual dates.

 

This page was updated on October 17, 2009

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