Above / Four of nine Mitchell children still living continue to bring descendants of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell together to the Mitchell Thanksgiving Reunion in the big A-frame at Ross Camp. Ruth (83) , Phil (78), Marjorie (92) and Carol (88) are pictured here with one of the Gertrude and Paul’s 41 great-grandchildren. (Photo Nov. 26, 2015)
Originally Posted July 20, 2015: With high dew points and 90-degree temperatures, a water balloon launch was a big hit at the 2015 Mitchell Family Reunion on the third weekend of July.
Summer is the season and a good reason for family reunions. Kids are out of school. Schedules are more flexible. And the great outdoors offers all generations a chance to mix and mingle while playing games or simply hanging out on the deck.
Our family’s experience with summer reunions has been to plan one regularly and to try to follow the K.I.S.S. principle, “Keep it super simple.” (Or as the principle is referred to in the U. S. Navy, “Keep it simple, stupid.”)
And if you happen to have a willing relative who turned a former horse corral into a wide open beautifully landscaped yard (suitable for large gatherings, croquet and other lawn sports), you’ll be set with a great place.
Mitchell Family Reunions
For more than 70 years, the descendants of Gertrude Rowen (1901-1986) and Marion Paul Mitchell (1897-1977) have been gathering together with love and gratitude to share Thanksgiving Day.
Above / In 1950, the Mitchell family gathered for Thanksgiving in the old farmhouse in Battle Ground, Ind. In time, as the family grew, the overnight reunion was held at the Retreat Center at the Battle Ground Campground. Later, to accommodate as many as 100 relatives, Thanksgiving was moved to Ross Camp near Lafayette, Ind.
Even earlier the Mitchell clan enjoyed a longstanding tradition of family reunions dating back at least to August 1940, according to photos in the family album Uncle Phil has put together.
Above / Descendants of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell (Pictured fifth & sixth from left in the second row) have continued the tradition of family reunions. Four of their nine children attended this year’s summer reunion in Wabash, Ind. (Photo above courtesy Aunt Marjorie, third from left, second row).
For more than 25 years, direct descendants of the Paul Mitchell Family also have united during the summer, usually the third weekend in July. At first, reunions were held at Aunt Frannie’s lake house on Lake Freeman in Monticello, Ind., not far from Indiana Beach. About 20 years ago, the reunions moved to Aunt Ruthie’s homestead in Wabash, Ind., a spacious setting for yard games, swimming and camping out overnight, if desired.
Above / This 1992 photo captured a wonderful memory when the Mitchell Family spent the weekend at Aunt Frannie’s lake house. Back then, seven children, all of whom are pictured in the 1941 photo, reared by Gertrude and Paul attended. (To compare with 1941 photo, Aunt Marjorie is pictured far left in row 2. In the photo at the dinner table, Aunt Marjorie is holding her baby daughter Phyllis.)
Every family, of course, is different. Some families are small. Some families still live relatively close in proximity and may see each other often. A family reunion may not be high on their list of must-dos.
The Gertrude and Paul Mitchell family with 108 off-spring — children (9), grandchildren (25), great grandchildren (41), great-great grandchildren (27) and one great-great-great grandson — and spouses is spread out from coast to coast. Folks must travel from California, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Missouri, Washington, Utah, Florida, Minnesota, New York, Virginia and South Carolina to reconnect in Indiana. And they do whenever possible.
Everyone unable to attend is missed. While some relatives must divide themselves among “the other side” of family commitments, the two Mitchell reunions provide a choice twice a year when folks can touch base.
What we find at Mitchell Family Reunions
Family matters. Just ask Aunt Frannie. At age 89, she’s mindful that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren need to be close and take time for each other. Casual family reunions give everyone time to focus on the truly important things in life that often are taken for granted. Kind words, texts, phone calls and social media are necessary, but nothing compares to showing people how much you “L-O-V-E” and care for them when you’re together, Aunt Frannie said recently.
Update, Aug. 1, 2015 / We forever will remember Frances Pauline (Mitchell) Clifton who died at 12:39AM, Aug. 1, 2015. Her life will be celebrated on Wed., Aug. 5, 2015, in Rushville, Ind.
Family reunions help keep the family history alive and current. Taking photos, researching ancestry, telling stories, sharing memories and having a dedicated member of your family to keep it all sorted in a big album are priceless. Uncle Phil is appreciated for linking the family heritage together so everyone can flip through family albums again and again. Soon Uncle Phil’s collection will be on the Internet.
The tradition that everybody pitches in and contributes to the potluck meals helps keep preparation as simple as possible for the host.
For instance, at the summer reunion everyone expects Aunt Ruthie to bake her sticky pecan rolls, Aunt Oveta to bring the musk melon and Bill to cook barbecue beef. Everybody else complements the meals with delicious side dishes.
At Thanksgiving, everyone expects Aunt Ruthie to bake her sticky pecan rolls, Aunt Oveta to bring her green bean casserole, Aunt Nancy to whip up the mashed potatoes, and Bill and Dave to stuff two turkeys. Everybody else complements the abundant feast with delicious side dishes.
Kids who grow up looking forward to family reunions are more likely to plan them for future generations. Spending time together speaks volumes to your entire family.
No one is promised tomorrow. One of these days cherished family members will not be able to attend. It’s not uncommon to hear an older relative say, “This could be the last time we get together,” as a way to entice attendance from one year to the next from the younger set. And it’s true.
Above / In July 2016, the summer Mitchell Family Reunion was held at Aunt Ruthie’s.
10 Big Hits at Mitchell Reunions
1. Tasting treats on the dessert table! Known for their good old-fashioned cooking and baking, the Mitchell sisters and their children bring homemade cakes, cobblers, cookies, fudge and pies to set out among fresh fruits, nut mixes and other snacks.
2. Taking dips in Melanie and Tom’s swimming pool.
3. Launching water balloons for the kids to catch.
4. Playing croquet, volleyball and wiffle ball.
5. Snapping photos and updating the family listing.
6. Looking through the family albums.
7. Playing cards and board games.
8. Catching up, sharing memories, having fun and laughing a lot.
9. Touring in the golf cart and going down in the elevator.
10. Counting our many blessings.
Mitchell Family Reunion Summer 2015
During the most recent Mitchell Summer Reunion at Aunt Ruthie’s homestead, 65 people attended, ranging in age from 11-months to 92 years old.
Collectively, Gertrude and Paul’s four children in attendance with spouses brought more than 606 years of life’s experiences to the reunion.
Aunt Ruthie kept a tally of all guests. Everyone was asked to update the Mitchell Family Listing for redistribution via e-mail.
Certainly, providing accommodations and hospitality for 60-plus people is really not a simple task. Everyone who travels long distances appreciates the advance preparation by Aunt Ruthie’s four children and their families. They always make planning and set up seem easy and uncomplicated so everyone can have a good time.
If you follow their example in the faithful spirit of joyful cooperation, all the rest will fall into place.
And once your family reunion gets going, you’ll likely wonder why you waited so long to begin.
Happy thanksgiving every day.
—Stephanie Penick, 4th of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell’s 25 Grandchildren
Mitchell Thanksgiving Day 2015 at Ross Camp
Above / The A-frame at Ross Camp, located near Lafayette, Ind., is not far from Battle Ground, Ind., where Gertrude and Paul Mitchell had a family farm and nine children.
According to Aunt Marjorie’s notes, 37 members of the Mitchell clan gathered together in the A-frame at Ross Camp on the eve of Thanksgiving. Some stayed all night on the bunks at the camp, some went home and some returned Thanksgiving Day. Others went to the “other side of their families” on Thanksgiving, and some only came for Thanksgiving Day. The count on Thanksgiving Day was 34 relatives and friends.
As is tradition, just before Thanksgiving dinner was served, Uncle Phil updated everyone on plans for the following year, with news Thanksgiving could be held another time at Ross Camp next year on Nov. 24, 2016. Everyone in attendance agreed to save the date in hopes to spread the word in time for all descendants of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell to carve out one more time to share the bounty of love and family for Thanksgiving.
Then heads were bowed in prayer. Everyone unable to attend for whatever reason was missed. Love and grace were extended to everyone facing health challenges as Uncle Phil prayed for everyone less fortunate throughout the world, especially those families trying to find freedom.
And just before the turkey and all the traditional trimmings were served buffet style, heads were turned toward Aunt Ruthie when she stepped up to recite a whimsical tale about the lifestyle of a turkey.
Above / Just before Thanksgiving Dinner was served, Torina, left, listened to her grandmother lament about the life of a turkey during the holiday season. Everyone else was listening from the “dining room” side of the kitchen.
Black November… A Turkey’s Horror Story
When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,
Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;
His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of ….. Black November;
“Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you’ll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you’ll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.
“And then one morning, when you’re warm in your bed,
In’ll burst the farmer’s wife, and hack off your head;
“Then she’ll pluck out all your feathers so you’re bald and pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave you laying in the sink,
“And then comes the worst part” he said not bluffing,
“She’ll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing.”
Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,
And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I’d have to lay low and remain overlooked;
I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola,
And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes,
I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;
But ’twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;
And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;
So now I’m a pet in the farmer’s wife’s lap;
I haven’t a worry, so I eat and I nap,
She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said, “Christmas is coming…”
—Author Unknown
Aunt Ruthie also provided supplies at her craft table to create an annual Christmas-theme ornament. The kids called this year’s collectible ornament a “cane deer.”
As a special treat, Cindy and Steve’s daughter, Torina, age 13, entertained by singing “Adelaide’s Lament” acapella style, a song from Guys and Dolls she recently had performed in her school musical.
Lively conversation, card games, Uncle Phil’s collection of family history and more delicious food than even these kissing cousins can consume were in abundance.
These days, grandchildren of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell have stepped up to carry on the family traditions that continue to hold a big place in the hearts of these relatives as they grow older and older.
Looking forward to Christmas! God Bless Us Every One.
—Updated Nov. 26, 2016 / Stephanie Penick, one of Gertrude and Paul Mitchell’s 25 Grandchildren
To be continued… Click here for additional posts from 2016 about the descendants of Gertrude Rowen and Marion Paul Mitchell Family.
