On Sunday, May 16th, 1999 the decendents of Sylvester and Maggie Metheny gathered at the Cottonwood Community Center. Once again after many years being held at the Legion Hall in Oblong, the annual event was held just outside Moonshine, IL. The family was well represented. Decendents of Grandpa and Grandma Metheny's children: Charles, May (Harris), Fay (Chapman), Essie (Larabee), Lucy (Kisner), and Floyd were all represented. The event was organized by the decendents of Fay (Metheny) Chapman, and being honored at the Reunion was Stanley and Zola Gail (Chapman) Winn, who were celebrating their 50th Wedding anniversary that week.

Organized mostly by Ron and Jan Darr (The Winn's Daughter), and pictured at left. Jan has coordinated and sent mail invitations to many, and email to many of the on-line relatives, and I had the reunion posted on my MRR Group (Family) site. Thru their efforts we had a very good turnout, plenty of great food, (as is always customary with a Family of great cooks!). I counted at least about 30 in attendance, and Jan arranged for a professional photographer to come and take a couple group pictures. One of all the people in attendance, and another of all the First Cousins. Hopefully by next month I will have copies that I can post.

Norma Brown (again visiting from Banning California), shared a few words directly from the heart, and from our Aunt Fancheon, who because of her health could not attend this year. Norma said Aunt Fancheon told her, through tearful eyes that she had begged her doctor to let her come, but he had advised against it. She so much loves coming back to visit with all the neices and nephews and their families. She certainly holds a very special place in all of our hearts. Lets all hope that if we again hold the reunion either at Moonshine or in Oblong, that Aunt Fancheon will at least one more time be in good enough health to visit. We will ensure she get copies of the pictures, and hopefully Norma or Bob will make sure she sees this copy of the Newsletter.!

I did have my digital camera along, and got a few shots of some of the attendee's. After a great feed, several of us (Norma Brown, Char Harvey, Bill Larabee, Bob Kisner and wife) all went cemetary hopping to Bellaire. Bob (who came from California), wanted to locate the grave site of his infant brother. We had success on that one at the Bellaire Cemetary. Then we went on to the Harmony Cemetary, to locate Great Grandpa's and many other of the Methenys gravesites. Following are some pictures taken at the reunion.

Char Harvey and Bob Kisner	Bill Larabee explaining family history to many listeners.
Dean Metheny and Wife joined us from Michigan again this year.	Norma Brown with Char Harvey with Bob Kisner and Jew Bonnell in the background talking old times.

Then I did get a few pictures at the Cemetaries. I won't post them, but I took pictures of Grandpa James P. and Phebe Metheny stones, Samuels Grave, and several others that I found, but have yet to place in the family.

And here's another shot of the Moonshine Store. Stanley Winn told me that it is World Famous for the "Moon" Burger. (Guess the world does include Crawford and Jasper County Illinois). (big grin) Too bad the store was closed on Sunday, as he assured me the Moon-burger was absolutely great! Next time I'm there I hope it is thru the week, because I'll test that burger (with my 14 year old grandson, Jeff) who is the world's best coniseur' of hamburgers.

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