As I was looking through the photo files on my computer for a vintage family picture to share today, I happened upon this one.
I’m fairly certain that this was taken in 1976, and I know it was at my Uncle Bennie and Aunt Doris’s house at our family reunion. Those reunions began years before I was born and were originally held at Uncle Andrews’ farm. They were called ‘wienie roasts’ then, and hot dogs were roasted on an open fire. Uncle Bennie began hosting in his huge front yard around 1970, and did so for many years. The reunion was always the first Saturday in August, and usually one of the hottest days of the year.
That’s my niece, Donna, beside me, and my sister (her mom), June, just behind us. The man in the white shirt behind Donna is Uncle Bennie. I’m not sure who the young man and little boy are to the right. Notice the vintage lawn chairs in the background, and I guess that’s a baby stroller directly behind us. There were sometimes 70+ folks at our family reunions during that era, ages ranging from infants to great grandparents.
I love so many things about this picture. For one, how happy we were to be together and celebrating family. If I’m correct about this being 1976, I was newly married, but it would be a few years before Marshall would make his appearance. It’s fun to look back on those wide-legged/bell bottom slacks, and I remember very well the navy blue canvas espadrille sandals I was wearing.
Uncle Bennie and Aunt Doris (as well as all our other aunts and uncles) have been gone now for many years. In that time, there have been several attempts at family reunions, including a few that Motor Man and I hosted. I think once those original twelve children (my mom and her siblings) had all passed away, quite a bit of the interest was gone.
But, we still have the photos and the memories.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 
I love old photos, they always carry the memories with them
Those little “time capsules” live on but of course lives change and situations change and then we TRULY appreciate old photos – they bring back those feelings like they were yesterday.
Pam
Always the hottest Saturday of the summer !!
As I was studying the pic, I realized that I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a view of Route 10 from that angle …. ?
We used to have A Horne, Hall, & Turner Reunion at my great Aunt & Uncle (Ada & and Henly Manning’s) home on Carroll Ridge Road. So many good memories. Love the picture of you, June & Donna.
Great memories to go with your picture. Your Uncle Bennie used to spend the entire week before the reunion getting his yard in perfect shape for the gathering. We always knew the date because of all the work he put into it. On Reunion Day the cars would start piling in. Y’all always seemed to have such fun. Lona would make a special watermelon carving/basket. Don’t know how many years she did that.