Several family members traveled quite a distance to attend the Reunion festivities. Alfred and Ethel Chaplin came from San Antonio, Texas; Edward and Julia Chaplin came from Summerville, South Carolina; Marianne Lohr came from Winterville, North Carolina, and her mother, Mary Ann Lohr came down from Wilmington, Delaware.
Gene Glasco, Jr. and his wife attended for the first time in a couple of years, with their 14 month old daughter "Gabby"; Bobby and Judy Chaplin showed off their 12 week old grandson Keller and his mom Guylyn, but Dad Christopher Chaplin had to prepare for a business trip and could not make it. Sara Ellen and Steve Berryman came for the first time in several years with her daughter Farren Burchett.
We had heard that Charles and Mary Green were going to attend, but Charles was not feeling well on the morning of the Reunion and thought it best not to try to make the 6 hour drive. Also, Edward Webb (age 94) was planning to come with Billy Barham, but also did not feel up to the trip on Saturday morning. It was also great to see Billy Chaplin, his wife Linda, and their daughter Stacy. Billy was responsible to getting the sodas iced down and delivered, which we appreciate.
THE MAIN EVENT OF THE REUNION WAS A CELEBRITY "ROASTING" OF TOM REESE!!!!!! It was a fantastic job of ROASTING, BASTING, BAKING AND FRYING Tom!!! We had several clever presentations about Tom, which brought down the house! It was good to have such laughter. Ed Chaplin brought some enlarged yearbook pictures of Tom from Fork Union Military Academy, where they both attended. Also, Ed composed a poem about Tom's exploits at Fork Union and some of the humor about Tom's Army airborne military career and jumping out a perfectly good airplane. It was a really impressive ditty and series of limericks. Not to be outdone, Bobby Chaplin gave a humorous story about Tom's "career" at Hampden-Sydney College, including a tale about Tom jumping out of the second story window of a building and breaking his ankle! (Like his Dad, Bobby can tell a story!) Gene Glasco, Jr. represented his family and related a story his Mom (May Sue Glasco) had given him to tell about Tom (being the older brother) would cheat her when distributing the candy pieces, with her winding up with about 3 pieces, and Tom ending up with 15! There were rumors that Tom had devised a scheme to get his sisters, May Sue Glasco, and Anne Reese Carson out of town so that they would not be able to tell all of the tales they knew bout his pas!! (They actually could not attend due to other conflicting events).
Tom took all of this needling graciously. However, he did not take it sitting down! Tom presented a rebuttal to the "Roasting", as only Tom can do, with his inimitable style. He had everyone laughing. Tom did present a powerful message to everyone attending the Reunion. He explained how important "family" is, and how important it is for our relatives to gather together to enjoy the good fellowship we have among all the members of the various families comprising the GOSH family tree. He urged everyone to continue to attend the GOSH Reunions and to make it a priority for the younger generation, so they will be prepared to pick up the leadership to maintain the event into the future. Everyone was in agreement.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: THE GOSH FAMILY REUNION'S 65TH ANNIVERSARY WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 23, 2007 IN THE MASONIC LODGE IN EMPORIA. MAKE A SPECIAL COMMITMENT TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL OCCASION WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. BE THERE!!!!!!!!
Thanks to everyone who worked to make this Reunion a success, including Elizabeth Cook, Jackie Chaplin, Geneva Woodard and Billy Chaplin. We also thank all who attended. Tell your family members what you enjoyed about the Reunion and encourage them to attend next year.
MYSTERY QUESTION: WHO WILL BE "ROASTED" NEXT YEAR? YOU HAVE TO ATTEND TO FIND OUT!!!!!
The 2006 Reunion Committee