WRITE-UP TO BE INCLUDED
WITH PHOTO TAKEN by TAYLOR GREGORY, AT THE DETWILER
FAMILY’S 109th REUNION HELD SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH,
2005, HELD AT CAMP INNABAH, PUGHTOWN, PA.
HISTORICAL FAMILY
HEIRLOOMS WAS THE FOCUS FOR THE 109TH DETWILER
FAMILY REUNION.
Fifty-three
descendants of Henry and Catharine Latshaw Detwiler
assembled for their 109th Detwiler Family Reunion
at Camp Innabah, Pughtown, Pa. at noon Saturday, August 20th,
2005.
A Welcome Sign,
made by Zachary Zern, greeted family members noting this
year’s theme of HISTORICAL FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. After signing
the guest book they placed their family “Heirlooms” for
display.
Along with past
reunion photos to view and many old family photos, some of
the heirlooms displayed, included a hand woven quilt
belonging to George and Hannah Yeager, the great-great
grandparents of President Sandy Detwiler Lusch. Their names
are woven in each corner with the date of the quilt being
February 28th, 1830 their wedding day. Their
original marriage certificate was on view as well. A
pitcher and bowl dated prior to 1840 has been handed down
from Harry and Emma Detwiler; a copy book of Catharine East
dates back to 1840. Farm ledgers, journals, penmanship
books, china pieces as well as embroidery pieces were
enjoyed by family members sharing memories of past
generations.
Prior to the
singing of the Doxology played by Chris Fetters on the
piano, President Sandy Lusch read a verse from the family
bible of her grandfather Harry L Detwiler who served as the
first President elected, August 20, 1910, and who served for
37 years until 1947, the 51st reunion. Mary Ann
Springer gave the Grace after which all enjoyed the covered
dish meal.
Historian Dick
Lusch displayed a photo of the first reunion held September
30, 1897, at the Isaac Detwiler home in Charlestown. On
August 20, 1910, the decision was made to become “organized”
officially as the Detwiler Reunion. Over 200 family members
attended that reunion. He reported there were six births,
seven deaths, and six weddings this past year. Genealogy
information that has been entered into the computer system
now consists of 3500 names, 1252 marriages and spans 18
generations. The first recorded birth date is Hans Heinrich
Loetscher 1601.
The traditional
group photo was taken with the backdrop this year being the
heirloom quilt mentioned previously dating back to 1830,
owned originally by George & Hannah Yeager.
Children enjoyed
games, relays, and the traditional “peanut scramble”. Games
and activities were co-ordinated by Jim and Mandy Collier
and assisted by other family members. Swimming was enjoyed
by many as well.
The Detwiler
Family is originally descended from Hans Detwiler who
arrived in this country in the early 1700’s. This reunion
was begun by the 10 surviving children (five sons and five
daughters) of Henry and Catharine Latshaw Detwiler in 1897.
The family line of John Detwiler, with a total number of 28,
had the most descendants present at this year’s reunion.
Prizes were
presented to the oldest man present Harry Styer 91 years
old; the oldest woman present Jean Riley Williams 85; the
most recently married Richard Terrance Lusch and Nicole
Wells married March 10, 2005, and the most distance traveled
was Earl and Jeanne Detwiler Gottshall, from Encinitas,
California; the youngest child recognized was Kellen Styer.
The Heirloom quilt made by Martha Weed, and signed by all
who attended the 100th reunion was won by
Anneleise Sifford. It will remain in their home until the
drawing at our next reunion. April Fetters accepted on
behalf of the winning table of the annual Reunion Quiz.
Special
recognition was given to attendee Captain Barry E. Gottshall
who on August 18th, 2005 was honored in
Washington D.C. by the Airline Pilots Association,
International, where he received the Superior Airmanship
Award for demonstrating superior airmanship and
professionalism by safely landing his aircraft under extreme
conditions in Bangor, Maine, on January 19, 2004. His
prompt actions avoided a disaster and protected the safety
of his passengers and crew members. The following family
members were elected officers for the incoming year.
President: Sandy Detwiler Lusch; Secretary: Cecile Fetters
and Treasurer: Scott Sifford. Dick Lusch will continue as
Family Historian. The next Reunion will be held on
Saturday, August 19, 2006, when they will celebrate 110
years.
