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(Please note the five Falkenberry "boys" in the top left photo below. The last time that they were all here was at the 2004 reunion. To get here they traveled from Nashville, Montgomery, Shreveport LA, and two from Huntsville. The missing sibling is Dorothy who died a number of years ago. Can siblings from any other family top this attendance?)
![]() "Dallas Mill children hold their annual reunion" "Children?" As I considered the word, children, I thought that whoever came up with the title certainly understands community reunions because that's exactly what we do when we gather - we talk endlessly about our childhood experiences, growing up in our little village, experiences that I'm pretty sure that we've discussed again and again over the 37 years that we've gathered. Many of these experiences were funny then and we can still laugh about them all these many years later. And it's the funny and happy ones that we tend to remember the best. If one were to eavesdrop on the little clusters of people at the reunion, you'd probably hear, "Do you remember,
And on and on. What are your "Do you remember…." remembrances? And I contend that, for the most part, the child within each of us is still alive and well and has the need to look back because, after all, those were important years and helped to make us the unique people we are today! And now to our reunion! Sponsored by the Class of 1949 and led by Virginia Goosby Franklin and Lorene Bishop Rice of that class. CLICK here to see the 1949 graduating class picture.
Lorene Bishop Billy Bowden Virginia Brown Ellen Certain Annie Sue Dunham Elizabeth Eaton Howard Edgemon Virginia Goosby Mary Jo Gray Doris Johnson Frances Johnson Billy Lee Virgil Medlen C. E. Morrison Opal Philyaw Betty Schrimsher Bill Schrimsher Deceased members
Otha "Buster" Acuff Ah the food tables - once again we outdid ourselves by bringing a huge assortment of all kinds of delicious food. I'm not sure but I may have seen a table sagging from the weight! I am sure though that there are some wonderful cooks among us.
(Addition: Use of Jackson Way Baptist Church: Helen wrote a letter to Jackson Way to thank them for once again allowing us to use their wonderful facilities for our reunion. To show our appreciation, we made a donation of $300. I can't think of any better place for us to gather because the church sits on hallowed ground. I feel certain that in some way many of Jackson Way's members have a connection to Dallas Village and Rison School.) (Addition: Web site: The web site has grown tremendously over the last five years and much of it is thanks to those of you who continue to send your contributions and to the wonderful webmaster, Craig Clontz. He's the one with the "know how" of putting the information onto the web site. He's so good that this editor has given him complete freedom to "edit the editor." To show our appreciation to Craig, each year the association makes a $200 honorarium to an organization of his choice. He asked that this year's donation be sent to Camp Sumatanga, a Methodist Camp near Gallant, Alabama. I can remember being very excited when our web site counter showed that more than 500 folks had looked in on our web site. As I write this review, that number is now 21,395 - who would've thought it?) Election of officers - Helen Acuff: Since this is Helen's 2nd and final year to serve as President and Brenda Elders moves up to take that spot, it was necessary to elect a vice-president. The committee nominated Aubrey "Tode" Turner to that office. And after serving more than 30 years as our Treasurer, Maurine Surrett decided to retire. The committee nominated Sue Smith Clark to become treasurer. Helen opened the floor to additional nominations; hearing none, the elected officers are:
President: Brenda Elders (moving up from vice president) We'll be in good hands with these folks to lead us. On behalf of the Association and in appreciation for their service, Sue presented certificates of appreciation to both Helen and Maurine.
Treasurer's Report - Maurine Surrett: Sue recognized our teachers in attendance; they were:
Buddy Curry Recognition of Classes/Challenge - Virginia Franklin: Beginning with the Class of 1934, Virginia recognized every class through the Class of 1951. Traditionally, since the Class of 1949 sponsored this year's reunion, it was expected that the Class of 1950 might sponsor the 38th reunion in 2010. However, with no representative from the Class of 1950 in attendance, it was agreed that the committee will sponsor it. Remembrance of deceased since last year's reunion - Sue Clark: It is with sadness that we report that twenty-two of our folks died since the 2008 reunion. They are:
Gussie Berry (Billy's mother) Myrtice Steger Brown Dr. Charles Chambers Lena R. Denton (Parker's wife) William "Billy" Ealy William C. "Bill" Edgemon Lawrence "Buddy" Ivey Elizabeth Primm Johnson Perry Luna Billy Magness Tommy G. McCulley Joe H. Medlen Nancy Melton (Carl's wife) Aliene Cagle Pell Bobby Philyaw Lila Edith Ratliff (Brady's mother) Leron Allen Schrimsher Elizabeth Vinson Walker (Earl's wife) Roshelle Barnes Walker Cecilia Worley (Eugene's widow) Clara Mae Jones Worley As we think about these, our family and friends, I'm sure that we remember how special they were and how important they were to so many people. We are thankful that they came our way and that we were privileged to know and love them. Please let us know at risondallas@comcast.net if we have inadvertently omitted someone's name from this list. Also, at the same web site address, please let us know when one from our number dies. Recognition of Veterans, Pledge of Allegiance - Lorene Rice: Lorene acknowledged our veterans, read the following touching poem, and then led us in the pledge.
And then Lorene led us in the singing of "God Bless America." Showing the DVD "Mill Village to Main Street" - Buddy Curry: This DVD is a touching reminder of what life was like in our local mill villages. It was made before Dallas Mill burned as evidenced by the DVD beginning with the narrator, Dick Curtis, standing on Dallas Mill's fire escape. We applauded the presentation once it was finished - a confirmation of "Yes, that's what it was like - and I remember that!" Note: The DVD is not now available for purchase but it is expected to be in the near future. If and when it does become available, I'll let you know on our Bulletin Board page. Benediction - Aubrey (Toad) Turner That's all for this year's reunion. We look forward to seeing you again next year, August 7, 2010, same time, same place. Until then,
~Ann ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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