Reflections by Jane Simmons

Today, I don’t have to wear someone else’s hand-me-downs.  I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but the kids today have it so good.

Jane Simmons

Reflections by Alvin Kepler

I was one of eight children in the Kepler family having four sisters and three brothers.  While living on the farm, we really didn’t have a lot of material possessions, but those days we had togetherness, plenty to eat and lived in a large farmhouse.  We had many chores to do like feeding the animals, working in the fields, and preparing for school the next day.  A few times we missed the school bus so we had to walk to school that was five miles away.  In our free time we had fun playing lots of games in our big yard, running in the meadows, and exploring the woods with friends and neighbors.  I remember having two pair of shoes, one pair to wear to church on Sundays and the other pair to wear during the week.  Of course, during the summer I would go in my bare feet.  My parents finally managed to keep up the our neighbors when I got our first crank wall telephone that had six parties on it and when we got our first blank and white 21-inch Motorola television console.

Also, we had our Griffith Family Reunion every year for many years even after my grandparents passed away.  I always looked forward to our family reunions with my grandparents being there seeing all my aunts, uncles, and many cousins together.  There was lots of good food, desserts to eat, fun games to play. Jane and I also seemed to win the wheelbarrow race each year at the reunion.  I think it was because I was always the wheelbarrow.

Now we celebrate together the 100th Anniversary of our grandparent’s reunion in the year 2000.  What a milestone this is and an experience to really enjoy.

Alvin Kepler

Reflections by Naomi Dunn

One of my memories of Grandmom and Grandpop was the week after the reunions that I spent with them.   I always took my paper dolls with me and played for hours on the bed.  Also I always wanted to play the piano, so would try my hand at it, however I was not successful.

I also recall talking about their 50th wedding anniversary and stated to Grandmom that I would get her an orchid to celebrate the occasion.  Was proud that I was about to do it.

I remember the Sundays that we visited and the dinners Grandmom would prepare.  She would go to the cellar and bring up canned meats with so much fat in the jars, but when prepared… so delicious.

Naomi Dunn