Lewis Family Reunions

Excerpt from the written document, "Glen's History", p.26-27 (Possession of Glen Hatch, youngest son of Mary Lewis Hatch):

"...Let me tell you about the Lewis Family reunions. From the time I was about seven or eight years old until I went away to the University, a reunion was held almost every summer.  These were exciting events in my life.  The extended Lewis family was composed of two groups: the Good Mormons, i.e. those who attended church on a regular basis and the Jack Mormons, i.e. those who attended church as seldom as possible.  The family was about equally divided into these two groups.

Planning of the reunion started in January of each year.  Every time some of the family would get together, a great debate would ensue as to whether the reunions should be held on Friday and Saturday vs. Saturday and Sunday.  The Jack Mormons held out for Saturday and Sunday.  The Good Mormons insisted on Friday and Saturday.  This debate provided four or five months of lively entertainment.  I loved it!  What was really hilarious was that the problem was always solved in the same way.  The Good Mormons left on Saturday evening so they could go to church on Sunday.  The Jack Mormons left of Sunday evening so they wouldn't have to go to Church.

When the reunion week-end arrived, the Good Mormons generally arrived at the reunion site on Friday since their time for the reunion was Friday and Saturday.  When the Jack Mormons arrived on Saturday, they would go a very short distance away from the cooking fire that was already burning and start their own fire.  They had a huge coffee pot and would immediately start to brew their coffee.  When it was done, they would sip the coffee, all the while saying, "umm, umm, umm, isn't this coffee delicious!"  They said this just loud enough to be heard by everyone.  The good Mormons wanted to kill them.  I loved it!

Each year a different master of ceremonies was selected.  Charlie Lewis was chosen for this position one year.  He started the meeting by telling a dirty joke.  All the Jack Mormons slapped their legs and hee-hawed and rolled on the ground in great humor.  The good Mormons scowled and didn't crack a smile.  I was sitting on a log next to my mother.  I looked over at her and if looks could kill, Charlie would have been dead at that moment.  She had the meanest look on her face I had ever seen.  I wanted to laugh, but I didn't dare.

In between these shenanigans, everyone had a great time eating and telling yarns and talking about ancestors and playing games.  When the reunion was over, they all left with good feelings for one another and anxious for next January to arrive so they could start the process all over again..."

Song lyrics to a reunion sing-a-long:

Lyrics found in the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"June 28/1958"
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"Charles, Frances, Crystal, Frank, Annie"
From personal albums of Dallas Workman

"Lewis family at Annie's house"
The only ones I recognize here are Birda (5th head on left), Jennie Hullinger (9th from left), Georgia (just to the right of Jennie) and Harold Hullinger (2nd from right).
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

Lewis get-together
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart