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