Farrar News, April 2000
OUR 23RD FARRAR FAMILY REUNION !!
18 THRU 24 JUNE
FARRAR FAMILY CAMPGROUND, WIRTH ARKANSAS
This is for you ... THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN! Our week-long, camp-out
at our own Reunion facilities on Bob Farrar’s 200 wooded, rolling,
rocky acres near Wirth, Arkansas, commencing on Father’s Day each year.
ALL FARRARS’, FARRAR descendants, FAMILIES, and FRIENDS, warmly and
joyously welcomed!
Letter from our President:
There are sooo! many exciting things going on for our Farrar Clan!
Once again our brother J. V. (Joe Farrar, Aguanga, CA), with the kind
and generous help of Gil and Louise Shockley, Richmond, VA, has come
through with a difficult project. The Farrar’s Island Historic Highway
Marker has been approved and is now being manufactured; cost $1,100. We
will now move forward with our plans for Rendezvous II, in Virginia,
for our Marker Dedication Ceremonies; scheduled for September 2001.
Thanks a bunch J. V. !
Likewise, Randy Farrar, San Diego, CA, has successfully accomplished
his project getting Volume II of Miss. Alvahn Holmes’ books back in
print; cost $4724.50. In addition he has sold many Volume I’s and
pre-sold numerous Volume II’s off the HomePage he constructed for the
Internet. Great Job Randy ... Thank you!
Remember ... 2000 Dues are due. Also, anything “extra” you can send to
help cover the cost of these two big projects will be greatly
appreciated.
Work Day projects for this year will include: 1) Finish the rock work
on our Time Capsule and beautify the ground around it. 2) Cut and stack
firewood. 3) Repair hot water plumbing. 4) Replace stove and sink in
the pavilion galley. 5) Rewire and install new light fixtures in the
pavilion, shower rooms, and outside cooking area. 6) Rake, clean, and
burn in the expanded tent area. 7) Clean and reletter “Joe &
Pauline” rock. Time permitting, we expect our brother Bob, and nephew
Kurt Stanford, Cedar Hill, MO, to have some of this work completed
before our arrival. See you then!!
Barbara (Farrar) Williams
Springfield, IL
News of Note
1. You did it! The monies came in! The check has been written! Our
Farrar’s Island Historic Highway Marker will now be cast and then
erected on the SE corner of US 1/301 and Osborn Rd., Chester, VA. The
Shockley’s will keep us advised of the progress. “Thank You!”, to all
you many willing and generous contributors to this worthy project.
2. Word from Peoria says our “Shower of Love” upon Tillie Schwend on
her 99th birthday, 22 Nov 99, was a huge success with cards, notes,
calls, and a big bouquet! This elder was surprised and elated to learn
and to know she was remembered, thought of, and loved. Thanks to the
many who took the time to do this little thing.
3. Betty Farrar, Keytesville, MO, assures us our new FARRAR flag she is
making will be ready to fly this Reunion.
4. Jean (Farrar) Hite, Dripping Springs, TX, has devised a skit, based
on Johnny Cash’s 1981 rendition, “That Tattered Old Flag”. This will be
performed after our moment of silence and just before our Flag raising
Father’s Day. Gather round the flagpole with all your children.
Edifying!
5. Fish Fry! Gary and Nancee (Farrar) Lehnhoff, New Cambria, MO will
again provide and sizzle the catfish. Have hunger pangs. Your editor is
already drooling. (see menu).
6. Reunion Procedures: Due to limited space please see your April 99
N/L; but notice this NEW PROCEDURE. No longer will we have to scrape
our plates at the treeline nor be concerned with wet and dry
garbage/trash. Our Uncle Bob will have a dumpster on site for this and
future Reunions. Hallelujah! We’ve just entered the 20th century! Now,
with a little more effort and progress we may be able, soon, to step
into the 21st! Hang in there.
7. This writer has received word there are “rumblings” of a Farrar
Reunion in Flat Creek, TN; early July. Unconfirmed at this time. Call
or write Ike and Mary Farrar, 170 Ike Farrar Rd., Shelbyville, TN
37160-5956; Ph: 615-695-5332. See their antebellum home, antique
furnishings, the 100 year old bed with a history of many birthings and
dyings; their dairy barn; the loose stone wall; engraved fieldstones in
the old Flat Creek Cemetery marking the graves of ancestors of a lot of
us; learn the legend of the gunshot through the door; Bo and Rheaetta
(Farrar) Wilson, nearby, have this door; hear the story of Davy
Crocket, who lived nearby, trading a rifle for a great white stallion
for his ride to the Alamo; Jack Daniels driving his new surrey with his
matched pair of blacks coming a-courting Lula Bob Farrar; walk where
our Grandfather Lewis Tillman Farrar was born and raised; see the
Church of Christ where he preached as a young man.
8. On our maternal side: the Schwend/Dennler Reunion, held the 3rd
Sunday of July each year, 9am - 4pm, Knights of Columbus Hall,
Highland, IL. Cousin Bill Schwend, President, and our prairie cousin
Babe Papproth, continue their research with great success. Bill has a
few thousand names on his computer now with many new, local contacts.
This Reunion is in a growth stage. Join us!
A stitch in time saves nine.
Grandma Schwend
* Insert: Menu for
2000 reunion
* Newsletter
Insert (Farrar Island Marker)
Scheduled Events
MOMENT of SILENCE; SKIT; FLAG RAISING:
Soon after breakfast Father’s Day, Uncle Bob will call all to gather
for our moment of reverent and prayerful silence. Immediately
following, Jean’s skit will be performed with Joe Farrar as the “Old
Man” and Jean as the “Tourist”. Following that, Gary Lehnhoff, Jr., New
Cambria, MO, and his friend and guest, Tommie, will conduct our Flat
Raising Ceremony. Remember, our new Family Coat of Arms Flag will fly
for the first time this morning.
BUSINESS MEETING:
With the flags flying, our President, Aunt Barbara, will call this, our
annual meeting, to order. All present on the grounds are invited and
requested to attend. You have willingly and generously paid your good
money to assist in our many Reunion projects. You have your right to a
voice and a vote. Besides, we want your in-put during our discussions
concerning any current problems and the planning of future projects.
This year the office of Secretary is up for election. This is a four
year position. The responsibilities consists of recording and
publishing the Minutes of the Meeting; monitoring the Registration Log
insuring all are properly registered with current and factual
information; assisting the President when and as requested; insuring a
responsible substitute to fill in should Reunion attendance be
impossible during any one year. Please step forward. We need you.
WORK DAY: Monday.
We should all be aware it takes a lot of “sweat labor” to maintain our
fabulous facilities. Always there are numerous things needed to be done
for up-keep and up-grade (see President’s letter). Last year we tried
something different: turning to the tasks immediately after breakfast,
working diligently, and knocking off at 2pm. It worked! We’ll do it
again this year. Those who can, please bring extra tools such as chain
saws, trowels, rakes, shovels, wire cutters, pliers, screwdrivers,
hammers, strong backs. All materials needed will be in place and on
hand.
CANOE TRIP: TUESDAY:
Ride the icy cold, rock strewn, and falls of the Spring River. This is
quite a watery picnic. Bring a lunch and thirst quenchers. You have a
choice of a 4hr, or 8hr, ride. Canoes with life jackets about $20 each.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Grandma Schwend
EARL FLURE
Earl, late of Wood River, IL, born 27 July 1920, Highland, IL., died 23
June 1999. He lies next to his younger brother Julius, Valhalla
Memorial Park, Godfrey, IL.
He as a nephew of Viola Lillian (Schwend) Farrar, mother of the ten
Farrar brothers and sisters of this Reunion.
Earl, son of Stephen and Adele Mary (Schwend) Flure, a WW II veteran, a
skilled electrician, after 37 years retired from Laclede Steel Company,
St. Louis, MO, 1983. He married, first, Dorothy Irene Ridinger, 5 April
1944, in Sacramento, CA who bore him three children: Robert Lee, Carol
Jean, Larry Allen. Divorced 30 November 1971, Wood River, IL. He
married, second, Lillian Ann Melton, 30 December 1981, Edwardsville,
IL, no issue.
Over the years his heavy work requirements, including climbing the
cranes and the overhead trains to do repairs, took its toll, bodily. In
his later years he suffered much with arthritis, was under medication,
had numerous surgeries and wore metal plates in his neck and lower
back. He confided to this writer he was so fortunate to have Lillian.
That they were happy and were good for each other. That they enjoyed
their many activities, including their travel excursions, as well as
their quiet times. That they were really enjoying their lives together.
Later, as a semi-invalid, it was Lillian remaining staunchly at his
side rendering the tender, loving care to the very end.
Earl was preceded in death by his two brothers: Levi, older; and
Julius, younger. He is survived by his two sons, his one daughter, nine
grandchildren, eight great grandchildren. Lillian tends the graves.
Lillian will continue attending the Schwend/Dennler Family Reunions
held the third Sunday of each year in Highland, IL.
COMMENTS
Family Tree:
This historically correct, up-dated 1999, Tree is available for $15 at
our Reunion. (By mail: $20 S&H inc.)
Holmes’ Books: Both volumes now in print and available during our
Reunion! Vol I, The Farrar’s Island Family: $35 (By mail: $39.50
S&H inc). Vol II, Some Farrar’s Island Descendants: $55. (By mail:
$59.50 S&H inc). By the set: $80. (By mail: $85 S&H inc.).
This authentic history of our lineage back to Jamestown and three
generations into England is a must for your personal library. Exquisite
gifts for your progeny too. Also, for those civic mined, as a gift to
your local library for their genealogical department.
Farrar’s Island Historic Highway Marker: Dedication Ceremony. This
gathering of the Clan will be known as Farrar’s Island Rendezvous II.
Another three joyful days of camaraderie in the Richmond area in Sept
2001. The schedule of activities will be formulated later this Fall and
all notified. However, it will include a conducted tour of Henricus
Historical Park to observe the progress of their park development on
this 800 acre Farrar’s Island; exploring another ancient plantation; a
drive along the Colonial Parkway to visit the site of the British
surrender, Old Yorktown; an evening lawn party with Ron and Margaret
Bargatze at their home in Richmond; and, of course, dedicating our
Marker. Plan on it. Mark you calender!
Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
Anon
LESTER HAGE
My dear Father, Lester Hage, Sandwich, IL, was born 9 May 1898. He was
called to cross that Great Divide 4 December 1999; aged 101 years, 6
months, 25 days. He lived a full and vigorous life. In the latter years
safe, secure, comfortable, and contented residing in his own home under
the watchful eye of his son, my brother, Gene. Though in our adult
years we shared many visits with my Dad, and am so very grateful for
his longevity, his passing was a great loss to our family. We miss him
deeply.
My husband Carl and I moved to Ozark Acres, near Hardy, Ark., in the
early 1970’s. It was during the construction of our new home that we
first met Joseph V. and Pauline Farrar, Sr. Even though we were some 20
odd years younger, this meeting rapidly developed into a close
friendship and , over time, a strong bonding with all their family;
which included Joe’s five sons and five daughters and their families.
Miss. Polly, as she was affectionately called, was their step-mother.
Joe always said he was adopting us into the Clan.
The four of us shared many wonderful experiences together and was
always there when one needed the other. Alternately, around their table
and ours, we enjoyed countless games of cards such as “Oh, Heck!” and
pinochle; and challenging times around our pool table; topping off the
evening with a delicious dessert. Being avid members of the Ozark
Acres’ Club we participated together in many of the Club’s activities
and social functions; such as: Bingo night, pinochle night, pot-luck
night; as well as many bus excursions to nearby points of interest and
activities. Dad, down for extended visits in the summer months, was a
part of all these activities. he and Joe really hit it off together
right from the git go.
When Joe’s niece, Jill Vogel, daughter of Joe’s son Bob, called the
first Family gathering to her place in Smithton, IL, in 1977, Joe
begged us to join with them. The same the next year when the 2nd
Reunion was held at Joe’s daughter Jean Hite’s place near Dripping
Springs, TX. Feeling we’d be intruding too much in what we considered a
strictly private family occasion, we declined both invitations. But
then, the third and all subsequent Reunions have been held on Bob
Farrar’s acreage near Mammoth Spring, AR. When encouraged to
participate this time, we did. We had a hilarious time; and haven’t
missed one since. And now we proudly hold an Official looking
Certificate, signed and sealed by all, adopting us into Joe’s Clan as
brother and sister with those original ten. To do a little for our part
and to help add to the festivities we have prepared and provided the
Father’s Day cake each year since 79. My Dad, too, participated in this
first Arkansas reunion and most of the later ones. When here he
wouldn’t miss it for love nor money.
Towards his latter years Dad did miss a few because he had to backoff
on his long distance driving. Dad maintained all his faculties and
strengths until almost the very end. He continued driving locally
obtaining his last permit at age 98. It was a few months later he
realized his reflex actions had slowed extensively and, for his own
protection as well as the public’s, turned in his keys.
For each Reunion missed he’d bewail, “I wish I could have been there”.
He was so glad to receive the Reunion newsletter that helped so much to
keep him abreast of all the activities. He eagerly read each issue from
start to finish. The Farrar Family Reunion’s “Shower of Love” (birthday
cards, etc.) on his 100th made him feel and appreciate being remembered
and loved.
Yes; writing, and recalling, brings to the fore wondrous times, and
just how strong this bondage is.
by: Charlotte Dienst
Ozark Acres, Williford, AR