Wilhite Reunion 2008!

The 2nd Wilhite Reunion has come and gone. It was successful. Thanks to all who came! It is so much fun being together and reminiscing. We set a new record for amount of ice cream consumed….Vana can give us those “actual figures” I know personally what I consume is more than I consume in a whole year! (secret….I just eat the ice cream to have A. Bev’s hot fudge!!).
We will add pictures here, I’m sure, soon so you can all see what you missed. We discussed our next Wilhite reunion and in discussing how much can CHANGE and happen in even a years time we don’t want to wait too long to do it again….we are thinking 2010 (same weekend…1st in August). We are all so busy with our lives and our kids’ lives (and for some grandkids) but It is SO IMPORTANT to set this time a side and be with loved ones. What a privilege to be able to share our heritage and memories with all the new ones to the family….both spouses and children. Time this side of eternity is limited and going FAST!!
We are asking all of you to consider planning NOW and set aside that weekend now. We know you will not regret the time and effort to be here. Again we know it is difficult but this time with loved ones has to be made a priority in the “business”.
Please start thinking and praying about it now and let us know what you think. You can comment here on the blog or e-mail us personally. Also please share this with any and all of your families or other relatives that might not be checking the blog!!
Check back soon for pictures and DON’T MISS 2010! Send your ideas.

PS. Just got the ice cream total…… 9 GALLONS consumed in a weekend by Wilhites!!!!! Maybe we could try for a world record (just kidding).

Reunion 2008

Hi! Me again! This may be your last chance to attend the "Wilhite Reunion" for a couple years! Don't miss out on a time to get reacquainted with a long-lost cousin! It was a thrill (yes, even a few tears) last year to see some of the "older" cousins see each other, some of them hadn't seen each other for 20 years! Come and have a good weekend of reminiscing, hear some fun stories, see some pictures, take some pictures, eat some good ole' Iowa sweet corn, soft serve ice cream, "feed the cat" and just enjoy time together. Bring the whole family! Don't forget reservations for a motel room need to be made by July 5 with the "Wilhite Reunion" in Algona. It is a very nice motel and does have a swimming pool for the kids! We have plenty of Iowa fresh air to enjoy also! Just drop us a line or give us a call and let us know what you need and if you will be attending. If you don't know for sure yet if you can make it, surprise us--we like surprises! Looking forward to seeing you real soon...

Vana

Wilhite Reunion for August 1-3,2008

Yes, we are planning on the Wilhite Reunion for August 1-3,2008. The fun will begin on Friday evening and last until Sunday afternoon. We had some that were able to come just for Friday and Saturday and others could only make it on Sunday afternoon, it was great, the door was always swinging open with another special Wilhite face! Plan now to attend. We are going to plan a golf outing for Friday or Saturday for those who would like to participate, depending on which day works best. Let Pete know if you are interested in this. We have reserved hotel rooms at the AmericInn in Algona, (about 20 miles away) for that weekend. You can make your own reservations and let them know you are with the "Wilhite Reunion." There have been 15 rooms reserved. The price is $84.00 and Triple AAA is accepted and discounts available for seniors 55+. The toll free number is 1-888-295-3345 or 515-295-3333 directly to the hotel in Algona. They would ask that your reservations be made by July 5, otherwise the rooms will be given to the public. There will be electric hookups available for campers and plenty of good ole' Iowa fresh, star-filled space for tent campers.

Just let us know what you need...Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Vana

August 1-3rd, 2008

Who's coming! don't miss out!
We want to see you and your family at the reunion, August 1-3rd 2008.

Please get the word out that August 1-3rd are coming quickly we want to know who is planning to come.

The fridge is stocked and the cats are hungry!

Click on our name to contact us today.
Jenni Pilcher

Vana Kruger

Pete Wilhite

Keith Wilhite

Save the Date Aug 08

Who's coming! don't miss out!
We want to see you and your family at the reunion, August 1-3rd 2008.

Please get the word out that August 1-3rd are coming quickly we want to know who is planning to come.

The fridge is stocked and the cats are hungry!

Click on our name to contact us today.
Jenni Pilcher

Vana Kruger

Pete Wilhite

Keith Wilhite

Neighbors

Pete got this from John Puffer...

I forgot to include it in my last email, but I remember Dad saying when he was a boy, before any tiling was done to the farm, that just west of the grove & SE of the house about 10 rods were ponds with cattails & ducks in them. Also that there was a natural waterway from the spot 10 rods SE of the house off southward. In the winter he & his brothers would ice skate from there down to near the country school that was on the SE corner of the section.

Some of my memories of attending that school the one year that I went there are: the students had to take turns going over to Lester Krause's & pump a pail of water & carry back for the day's drinking water supply. Donny Wilhite & I were the youngest so we got to go together, carrying the full pail, one on each side. The students were: Bob, Jim, & Donny Wilhite, Harry Fisher, an 8th grade girl...I don't remember her name, & myself. Each of us were in a different grade. The girl didn't have to do the "water duty" thing.

That HUGE stove in the schoolhouse. Just as you walked in the door from the south was a place to hang your coats. Just north of that was a cob & coal bin. That obnoxious Harry Fisher throwing rifle shells in the cobs & them exploding. The Wilhite boys had a Shetland pony & a cart. They would pick me up on the way to school. Bob would drive, with Jim beside him. Donny & I sat behind them, facing backwards. Once at school, Bob would unhitch the pony & tie it to a fence post so it could graze. About half the time the pony would get loose & go home. So we'd have to walk home that afternoon & then walk back the next morning, leading the pony down to school.

There were two outhouses located at the NE & NW corners of the schoolyard. The school yard was fenced on the W & N side only. On the last days of school the teacher built a fire with cobs in the south ditch & we roasted hot dogs & marshmallows for our noon lunch. When we got up to go back into school we discovered that Jim Wilhite had been sitting on a snake & it was dead.

And my best memory: In the spring, the ditch on the east side of the school had a lot of water in it from snow melt. Harry Fisher had put a plank from the schoolyard over to the gravel road which he would ride his bicycle back & forth over. Harry was in 7th grade, a bully, & had tormented me since my first day of school. We were watching him show off & some wheels within my head began turning. Finally once as he was riding from the yard to the ditch, I ran behind him to the middle of the plank & shoved him & his bike into the cold water. He probably beat the crap out of me, I don't remember. I only remember how good I felt, I felt I had gotten even for a whole year of his bullying me. I'm sure that the Bible says somewhere that this was not the proper way to do things, but it makes me feel good to this days just thinking about it!

John, both our Dad's & their brothers attended that school. I did for first grade only. It closed after that & I started second grade in at Corwith. Dad bought the playground equipment from the school & erected it out SW of the house near that old "falling down" shed. Dad also bought the teachers desk & used it until he died in 1989. I am sitting at that desk, as I am writing this.

Prayer Request

First one is a prayer request - Dad(Merle) will be having surgery on his shoulder (injured from the fall) on Wednesday. Should only be in the hospital over night if all goes well. Just pray for his safety and God's guidance during the surgery. Also that God will be with him as he won't be able to use his arm for at least 6 weeks and that will be hard on him.

Second - Mom and Dad's 60th Anniversary was in December but with how Dad has felt (along with the need and request for NO attention!) I made the decision to not have a big celebration but I'm hoping after his surgery at some point to be able to take them out for an evening and maybe just have family that is here in the area help us celebrate (late). I would like to be able to shower them with cards and wishes from all of you....so if anyone would like to send a card to them, you could send to me and I will deliver all at one time to them. My address is PO Box 55, Berwick, IA 50032. Thanks so much!!


Thanks
Jenni