What can I say? It was wonderful! Everyone had a ball... gathered information.. shared information .. I am bushed!! I know Lori is too. She worked as hard as she could to help people and to help me... without her the Homecoming would have missed a great deal! Sistler OWES that girl!!! She went above and beyond!! Norma Watson received an Special Certificate of Recognition and it will be mailed to her family this week. The new committee is comprised of Jan Philpot, Vanessa Slea, Jean Gilley, and Cher Adams (c: The Winner of the Solid as a Rock award was a tie... Ira Bell and Jan Philpot The Pale Rock Hider award went to Raymond Lindsey (Gabbie) There were certificates of recognition to the people nominated in both catagories. During each meeting we had drawings and 'free' goodie bags given away... Stone rubbing kits, picture taking kits, books.... all sorts of stuff...homemade jam and tomato relish.. We had awards for 'Most Mature", Youngest, Come the Farthest, and Lived the Closest! These awards were unique and not likely to be used by any other organization.. Using the theme of the ROCK..I got rocks the size of a fist or larger ... washed, varnished, and painted faces on them..... folks got a bang out of them... We had a BINGO game and the winner receives a 15X18 painting (done by Jan or me) of their choice of their homeplace, or an ancestor. The winners were Ira Bell, Jean Gilly, Karen Alexander. When they provide the snapshot to us we will get on it. We had a table set up with a few antique goodies displayed. I think that was the only disappointment for me. We were so packed with books, and people and genealogy that it didnt get the deserved attention. I think next year will be better as we will have more room. We had books from Don Simons, Byron Sistler, Martha Stone, Nelda Saunders, Wm Nesbitt. The Gen Societies represented ahd lots of regional books! We/I sold...er..bought..<bg> a lot of books!!! I think that was a big hit! So when somebody asks for alookup... I KNOW there are a bunch of NEW book owners out there!! So the lookups better come...<LOL> Martha Donated her Sample books to Stewart and Benton Libraries. Nelda donated a map to the Civil War era map and Don Donated a book to the auction. Their contributions were deeply appreciated. The Genealogical/ Historical Societies were super... Benton, Stewart and Henry really rolled out the red carpet.. Dickson was supposed to be there, but didnt come. Humphreys couldnt make it ... and If Houston was here I dont remember! (Honest injun!) The Silent auction was WONDERFUL.. a great variety of books, FTM software, genealogy forms, beautiful artwork , fabulous cushion and throw, genealogy grapevine wreath ( sure nuff ), slag from a furnace.. antique mantle scarf, a microfilm reader, whew... gobs of stuff !! The contributions were wonderful.. and the generous hearts of the people donating the merchandise and the people bidding and buying them was touching... They got Cher back in the black and added to the coffers for next year... The list is too long to itemize... really. The meeting room was PACKED and the decibel level was off the chart... BUT, next year and there will be a next year.... We will have a larger room.. as we have funds to work with... I couldnt nto keep documentation of who brought what, what it sold for and who got it... maybe next year someone can be responsible for that information. With the cursh of bodies in that area it was too hard to keep track of... At the main meeting we Passed the Hat and received about $550. to apply to the expenses of the next DC REUNION. So the committee will have a good nest egg to work with.. Dan Martin and Ira Bell will open a savings account on behalf of the DCHomecoming group to keep it safe till it is needed. The Patio Supper was thwarted...We ate indoors with a super view of water... I really dont know if it was Tn River or if it was KY Lake.... it was one of those summer stormy days... but, the cheer was not dampened at all... you never saw so many smiling happy faces... My tail was 'a waggin'....... Hummm..the food??? We (Paris Landing and me ) will have a talk 'fore the next time to adjust the recipes..... Speaking of recipes... <LOL> I went into the kitchen Thursday and supervised the cooks in making the Chocolate Gravy/Sauce.... They made about 3 gallons... I couldn't believe the size of the kettle!! But, it didn't /couldn't cook down to get the flavor and texture it should have had.. REALLY!! It needs a big Iron skillet, but, any skillet will do... But, the folks got a taste of it and had a good time trying it on grits... and EGGS!! I couldn't believe y eyes!! Friday evening Catherine Cline (Cacky) gave a presentation on tips that she has learned.. and she was witty and informative... typically Cacky!! Lucinda and her sister helped set up displays. Jean Gilley was right there to help set up the Auction and other odds and ends.. super women!! Oh, at the main meeting Jan and Vanessa presented to Dave Snow, Dan Martin and ME.. (can you believe it?) a Movers and Shakers award.. Vanessa did a great job.. she was articulate and generous with her compliment.. she is a joy to know and in the 'rock' theme she gave each of us a broken quartz with crystal and emerald and (sorry Vanessa.. I cant remember the pink ones) stones that were beautiful.. the symbolism was touching.. She has my vote any day! And I was deeply touched to be included in that group. We were sorry Dave S couldnt be there but with him changing jobs at that time just wouldnt allow him to make it. I have a few things to mail to Dave and will get them off in a few days.. We did present to Dan the award Dave asked me to present.. a "Pot Stirrer" award.. and Dan had a good laugh... At the end of the meeting Jan and Vanessa had some fun AT MY ESPENSE.. Jan wanted to roast me.. but, instead just sauteed me instead!! She is the funniest woman I have ever known.. and her 'presentation' was hysterial... Folks, I think it is safe to say that the Homecoming was a success... it was wonderful... I was hoping for 50...remember? We ended up with 119 guests for dinner!!! We have learned a lot and next year will be more refined.. and probably larger... but, as for fun...?? I dont think it can get better than this. I met just about everyone and if I didn't meet you,I am sorry... cause it was a bunch of super folks... and I would hate to miss one of you!! I want to get sappy..here.. I have been invloved with famiy reunions.. and business meetings of large numbers..but, I have never been with a more warm, congenial group EVER... Those of you that didnt get there.. did miss out... If I have forgotten to give appropriate credit to someone.. you folks, please correct me ... as I am working from MY memory... dont have Jan to ck wityh..(c: She is on her way to Savanna... Our projected 2000 Homecoming/Reunion is June 22,23,24 ... THIS IS UNCONFIRMED..next week I will solidify it. So if you yearned to be with us you have a year to try and make it happen.. I have gobs of pix to share but will take me a while to get it organized! Dave will post it on DC or I will on Dickson. BUT, for a couple of days..this 'tarred' woman..is gonna lurk.. See ya soon. Cher