Country Kitchen: Family Reunions
A Time for Making Memories
By Mary Emma Allen
Summertime means Family Reunion time for many families, a tradition going
back for several generations. The our family congregates each summer,
usually at a family member’s home. Somehow it has fallen to Jim and me to
organize the festivities and write a periodic newsletter, with the help
of other relatives.
As everyone gathers to share potluck, exchange news, add to the family
history notes, provide pictures for the collection, and play games, we
know it’s a worthwhile undertaking that will keep the many branches of
the family together and create memories for future generations.
Family Reunions of Many Types
My mother’s family gathered each July 4 at a cousin’s home for a
gathering of her paternal relatives. On Memorial Day the maternal
relatives got together at her family’s farm. As a child, I looked forward
to these gatherings and enjoyed visiting with relatives we might see only
once a year.
I look at pictures now of those days and reminisce about those people who
played a role in my childhood. These family gatherings weren't large by
some reunion standards, with 25 people at the most attending. But to me
they were joyful occasions with each cook making her special foods.
Huge Family Gatherings
My mother-in-law comes from a background of large gatherings with more
than 100 family members attending. She has one photo of her Hayman family
around 1912, a large grouping of people of all ages.
It’s enjoyable to hear her tell the stories of those reunions when she
was a child and young girl. Sadly, those family lines lost touch with one
another and we only know the descendants of her sister. One of the
enjoyable aspects of genealogy is finding some of those distant "cousins"
as you trace your family tree.
Our Family Reunion
Our family reunion began 18 years ago when my husband’s uncle became
involved in genealogy as a pastime when his health caused him to retire.
He traced the descendants of his great, great grandparents, found the
addresses of many of their descendants, and planned the first reunion.
More than 100 people attended. It was amazing to see the family
resemblances in adults and children who had never met before. Enjoyment
resulted in developing friendships with relatives we didn't know existed.
Potluck Table
The Potluck Table, where each family contributes a favorite dish, has
evolved into food enough to feed everyone, even though each family brings
some more food for their own needs. We have even developed a family
cookbook with recipes and food histories contributed by many members.
"Mary, you're the food columnist. You can head this project," a family
member suggested. So from there the cookbook evolved with the help of
others. I often turn to this cookbook when I'm looking for recipes for
our meals.
COUSIN POLLY’S HERMITS - Cover 2 cups raisins with cold water and boil 15
minutes. Drain and let cool.
Cream together 1/2 cup margarine and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat in 2 eggs,
one at a time. Sift together: 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2
teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon
nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed ones. Add the raisins and
1/2 cup chopped nuts.
Pour into greased and floured 13 x 9 -inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F.
for about 30 minutes until they test done. Cut into squares when cool.
(C) 2002 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
