The Reunion

Well the reunion has been talked about in the last few letters. You would think someone would write a recap of the reunion. Apparently they left it up to the "historians" Jan and Rose—and there is no write up included in the chain letter. So I dusted off the family photo album and came up with these photos from the 1946 reunion:

Apparently they are all going somewhere...

This is Gee and Larry Voss and their children (I don't know who is who)

My grandma is just barely in this photo. I love David playing peek-a-boo!

The reunion was held at the Dayton Biltmore Hotel (one of the original Vanderbilt property hotels). This is an old postcard I have.

And this is from Google Maps (the street view). This the hotel today. It is called the Biltmore Towers. I don't think it is a hotel. Condos maybe?

Vol. 22, No. 3 [Irene—letter missing] 

Vol. 22, No. 4 [Sadie] 

June 24, 1946 

Dear Gene and All; 

Well, it happened! Words fell when I try to express the happiness that is mine today, after having seen each dear contributor to this chain in person, and having spent three delightful days with all of you. I could go on and on, but since Rose and Nan are the reunion historians for “the record,” I will just be satisfied with saying that I am glad to be the one to “start the ball rolling,” after our history-making reunion is over. 

Needless to say, the “highlight” for me was the Mass for our dear departed ones, with everyone present. How that must have please them, too! Couldn’t you just feel their loving presence all through these days? 

I also want to go on record as being the first one in the “chain gang” to express my thanks to Helen, Gee and Aunt Rose, and all who helped them to make our reunion such a grand success. Fred’s “taxi service” was very much appreciated, too. I am sitting here writing at Helen’s table, with Ann beside me. Kay has just left for the airport with Helen and Fred. 

I am enjoying a few days here, before going to Mt. St. Joseph, to teach “Principles of Composition” at the College. I am looking forward to a very pleasant summer with my friends at the Mount. The four days I spend in Anderson, with Gee’s delightful family, were happy, restful ones for me. 

I was privileged to be here for Dick and Ann’s wedding on June 15. Helen will probably write the details about that, for the record. It was so simple, sweet and quiet! 

Sean, Jamie, David, Ronnie, Roberta and Diane are all everything that their fond parents have told us about them, and far be it for me to award a first prize to any one of them. May God bless and keep them, and all of you, is my constant daily prayer. 

Our first grade teacher came home with this one: The priest was preparing them for First Communion and he said to one of the 1st graders: “why did God give you your eyes?” He answered: “So I can see.” “Why did God make ears?” Looking at his horned-rimmed glasses, he said “To hang glasses on.” 

Love, Sadie

in the present day…

Off to Chicago for a couple of days...I have to be on the plane in 7 hours. I should probably pack.

Comments

[Dave2]

I'm a little confused... if the accounting of the reunion wasn't in the chain letter... do you have it elsewhere? Or did they never get around to documenting what happened?

[Robin]

Dave2: If anyone wrote an account of the reunion, it was not kept with the letters. Big disappointment! Now we don't have juicy details of what happened!

[kilax]

The photos are so much fun. I love seeing all the hairstyles and clothing styles from that time :)