Wilhite Waves

2010-08-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

We will have a supper Friday night around 5:30-6:00, light breakfast on Saturday morning, the noon meal on Saturday, and the evening meal Saturday night and a brunch or meal on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come when it is convenient but the meals are our main times together.

You can tell them the ice cream machine is on...the corn is ready...the cat is ready to be fed, and we are looking forward to a great time!!!!

Please RSVP if attending Friday Sat or Sunday of Reunion 2010

2010-08-02T19:38:00.001-07:00

to ktwilhite'at'mchsi.com

Wilhite Reunion 2010 AUG 6-8TH

2010-07-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

Wilhite Reunion - it's official Aug 6-8th. Saturday is a fun filled day at the farm. Come for fun, food, and family! Maybe a little ice cream? Some games? Good times! The last few years we have had campfires, tractor rides, lots of memories were shared and created!

Come look for a money tree? "Feed the cats"

Make this yo...ur vacation! If you are traveling in and want to make a week of it there is a lot to do!

Visit Friends and family. Watch the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines! Hit the waterparks in Des Moines or Waterloo. Adventureland in Des Moines. Mall of America in MNPLS. Visit a Farmer Market. Dirt Track racing! Visit Historic Pella. Enjoy the Lakes - Clear Lake or Okiboji! The IOWA STATE Fair starts on Aug 12. IRBC Family Camp 5 is Aug 7-13!

Copy of email from Vana.... I don't have any rooms reserved in Clear Lake or Mason City, they are both about 45 minutes to an hour from Corwith. I do have four, King whirlpool suite rooms, with sofa beds, reserved at the Americinn In Algona (north and west), about 25 miles away from Corwith, on highway 18. That is all they had left for that weekend, although there may be a couple smoking rooms, but didn't think people would want those. The cost $126.00 per night or you may try calling closer to that date to see if there are other rooms available. I have them reserved for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, depending on a first come, first serve basis. They are under "Wilhite Reunion" and will be released to the general public on those dates, if no one books them. Toll Free Reservations: 800-634-3444
Front Desk: 515-295-3333 Americinn Algona.

We may have access to The Summit House in Britt...This would be closest. So before you reserve Hotel you may want to check with us about summit house.

Clear Lake and Mason City also have accommodations and you are more than welcome to call one of them if you would rather. Some of the hotels available in Clear Lake, right off the interstate, are: Microtel Inn 641-357-0966 Americinn 641-357-8954 Best Western 647-357-5253 Heartland (south side of the lake) 641-357-5123 Mason City has a nice County Inn and Suites, although that is a little farther. That number is 641-423-1770. There is a house in Forest City(about 45 minutes away) that they have converted into a hotel and restaurant, and that is called "The Lodge," their number is 641-585-5060. Forest City also has a Super 8 and that number is 641-585-1300. If none of these options work, you can also, "camp out," there will be trailer hookups available if notified in advance, and we can try to find some other accommodations a little farther from the farm. "Wilhite Waves" to you... Vana for all.

FACEBOOK Wilhite Waves

2009-09-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Click here to check out "Wilhite Waves" on Facebook!

Wilhite Reunion 2008!

2008-08-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

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).

2008-07-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Reunion 2008

2008-06-20T13:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-17T19:03:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Neighbors

2008-02-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

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

Merry Christmas

2007-12-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:10-11

10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Uncle Merle

2007-09-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Jenni P said...: Hi all. Would appreciate everyone's prayers for Dad (and Mom. If you haven't heard. Dad fell from the attic last Wednesday and broke his back. God however was very good to us!! Things could have so much worse...Dad gets upset whenever he thinks about the possbility of mom being under the door when he fell (as the door was shut). He is doing well. Alot of pain though. No surgery right now - trying a back brace first to try and avoid any surgery. He also tore the rotor cup in his shoulder. You know him though he is all ready joking around. Just pray for a speedy recovery and his pain. Pray for mom as she "trys" to care for him when he does come home. Right now still in hospital but looking at putting him somewhere else for a couple of weeks til he can get up and move around better. Thanks - love you all and know you will be praying.

Wilhite Brothers 2005

2007-09-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

This phot is from Merle's 80th Birthday 2005.

Ken,Merle,Bob,Jim,Don

Here is a site we can share photos on.

2007-09-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

http://wilhitewaves.snapfish.com/snapfish

If you click on the above, and log in to Snapfish you can see some photos of Ken,Merle,Bob,Jim, and Don at Merle's 80th Birthday back in 2005. Some great shots of the brothers and spouses.

You can also post photos there.

Thanks from Jim and Bev

2007-08-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Wilhite families,

Oh, what a wonderful great weekend at the Wilhite Farm!! Lots of memories were shared - a lot of fun, food, and fellowship was had! You dear people have been our conversations this week. Jim and I want to thank you all for coming and are already looking forward to next Aug 2008!

May the Lord bless!

Thanks again for coming to the Wilhite Farm.

Love,

Aunt Bev and Uncle Jim

ps A BIG thanks to Vana, Pete, and Keith

Wilhite Reunion Photos

2007-08-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

2007 Wilhite Reunion

2007-08-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that attended our 1st Wilhite reunion. It was a huge success!!

Those that came: Duane (Orlan) Jenni and Fred and family(Merle), Mark, Diane and George, Paul and Susan (Cecil), Jeanie and Jenn, Sue and Jim, Patty and Drew ( Kenny) Terry and Sharon and family (Bob), Pete (Kevin) and Bonnie and family, Keith and Tanya and family, Vana and Kevin and family (Jim), Uncle Merle, Uncle Don and Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev. Every Brother was represented!!

Everyone had fun reminiscing, eating great food and having soft serve ice cream before, after and in-between meals! I think we wore the rented ice cream machine out. (A Wilhite's dream continuous ice-cream at the pull of a lever).

A few arrived on Friday and enjoyed a campfire under a clear-starry sky. Most arrived Saturday a.m. Keith prepared a great lunch of smoked - pulled pork and beef brisket, baked beans, all the sweet corn you can eat and potato salad (thanks Bonnie's mom) and lots of other food. Uncle Jim had everyone share what they are doing and where and how their families are doing.

We spent time taking family and group pictures out by the barn. Several neighbors stopped by to say hi. Saturday ended with a late night came of Apples to Apples, which provided some more laughter. Sunday started with rolls, pastries, toast, juice and coffee, then a short devotional from Duane. We all sang Amazing Grace and I think all would agree that the Lord was in our presence!

The house is gone, but we found out that it was just walls.... if you put the people (the family) together - that the love and the memories are still there! (both poured out of each family member). The years have passed but the love of our Wilhite heritage was still evident this weekend as we shared laughter and tears together.

More memories from this weekend:

*Hugs and LOTS of Wilhite waves
*Uncle Merle driving the tractor
*Diane breaking things
*FRESH sweet corn
*Moose (the dog) and Diane's pants
*A Harley motorcycle
*Aunt Bev's chocolate sauce (....Mark)
*Moose and Duane's slipper
*A dirty diaper ?
*Diane and George's "personal" life (too much info)
*Drew thinking he was wearing a "feed me" sign

If you don't know what any of these are then you won't want to miss next year's reunion and be a part of the new memories for 2008. Same time (1st weekend in August) , Same place. Start planning now to be a part of this GREAT TIME next year! Many of you had planned on coming or wanted to be here but couldn't - we missed you and that is why we are sharing and we will be posting pictures soon. I for one went home feeling refreshed (all the love and hugs....I think) I am ready for next year now! Hopefully we will see everyone in 2008! We will keep you posted and as always if you have any thoughts or suggestions just let us know!!

.....THANKS again to Pete and Bonnie for the hospitality, Keith for the meat, Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev , Vana and Kevin for making sure we had all that we needed for a great time!!

Reunion 07

2007-08-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

There is still time...

Just wanted to send a note out that listed the potentially committed attendees. (Please let me know if you are planning coming and I have not listed you below...sorry)

Uncle Merle ( hopefully Aunt Darlene feels well enough to make it too)
Uncle Bob and Aunt Alice
Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev
Uncle Don
Mark
Diane and George
Dennis - is trying to make it, Duane
Sue and Jim
Jeanne and Jenn
Patti and Drew
Jenni and Fred
Terry and Family
Vana and Kevin and Family
Pete and Bonnie and Family
Keith and Tanya and Family

Click here for Mapquest to Corwith the farm is 3 miles east of Corwith on B55

Saturday
Arrive at farm in am
Lunch at 12:30 Smoked Brisket and Pulled Pork, Potato salad, Baked Beans
Tour Farm / Games
6:30 Dinner Burgers and Brats and Sweet Corn, chips, watermelon
7:00 campfire Icecream and smores ???

Sunday
10:00 am Devotional at Farm
Sunday Lunch/Dinner Ham, Potatoes and Sweet Corn
Yard games

Please prepare for a fun couple of days! We will have food and drinks at the farm. You don't need to bring a thing. If you have any questions email us.

My Email
Pete's Email

Uncle Jim's Phone #515.583.2225 - cell 515.341.1391

Sweet Corn - Sweet times

2007-07-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hope you can make it to the farm this weekend - Aug 4th and 5th.

Send me an email if you are planning to make it.
My Email
Pete's Email

Uncle Jim's Phone #515.583.2225

Thanks Keith

Roll Call

2007-07-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to put out a quick note. Please let us know if you are planning on making the reunion, Aug 4-5,2007 in Corwith.

Should be a great couple of days of family,fun,and food etc...

Click below to send Keith an email
Keith Wilhite

Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

2007-06-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Who's coming! don't miss out!
We want to see you and your family at the reunion, August 4-5th 2007.

Please get the word out that August 4-5 are coming quickly we want to know as quickly as possible 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

Reminder

2007-06-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

We want to see you and your family at the reunion, August 4-5th 2007.

Please get the word out that August 4-5 are coming quickly we want to know as quickly as possible 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

RSVP ASAP! Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

2007-06-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

It is getting to crunch time. August is coming quickly - make plans today! Please forward this info to anyone you can think of that would want to get out to the farm!

We want you to know - this year is the year... the farm is ready and we want to see you and your family at the reunion, August 4-5th 2007.

Please get the word out that August 4-5 are coming quickly we want to know as quickly as possible 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

Wilhite Brothers 2007

2007-04-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Vana emailed me this photo and I wanted to add it to the site. I am still looking for a digital photo I have of the brothers at Uncle Merle's 80th.

Send me any photos you would like to see posted to: ktwilhite@mchsi.com

Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

2007-03-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Vana she has talked with Pete (Kevin) ...she said...

We will continue to work on the details but we are planning the weekend of August 4 and 5th-Saturday and Sunday!

More details to follow...

Prayer Requests

2007-03-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

Anyone have any specific prayer requests they would like to share? Any Wilhite Prayer Warriors out there? Please post as a comment below. It would be great to be able to track how God answers prayers - I look forward to looking back on the comments in a few months and being encouraged by answered prayers. Let the praises begin...

Let's try to connect!

2007-03-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to fire-up this site to maybe get some conversations going between families...
I have got to go feed the cats...
have a great day - Keith

Wilhite Brothers Photo

2007-03-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

wilhite Brother & Spouses Photo

2007-03-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

Wilhite Brothers Photo

2007-03-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

Wilhite Photo 1941

2007-03-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

A little Wilhite History

2007-03-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here is an excerpt from an email from Dennis Wilhite.

I have a number of generations from the Reformation in Germany until the immigration to America. Those are relatively easily found on the web. I would bet that links from Germanna Foundation can give you that. At any rate, Johanne Michael Willheit came to America between 1717 and 1719 and attached to a group of Germans in Virginia often called the second Germanna Colony. These were Germans headed for Pennsylvania but placed into indentured servitude to the VA governer for a period of about 7 years. They were placed on what was then the frontier near Culpeper, VA.

Once they were free of service they moved to a location further west just under the Blueridge mountains, settling what is now the town of Madison, VA. I have been to that lovely town and walked around Johannes first farm. I believe he is buried on that property in a plot where there are broken tombstones that are no longer readable. I also have attended the Evangelical Lutheran church that he helped to build in the 1740s. It is the oldest woodframe church in the country, still in use. Johanne died there and we actually decend from two of his sons in that several generations later a pair of second cousins married. Direct decent comes from Adam Wilhoit (it seems that most spelled it that way in VA), who was likely born on the way to America or shortly after arrival married a Broyles and ended up taking over her father's farm across the valley. Adam had a son John who had a son Aaron, who had a son Joseph Thornton, all of whom grew up in that same valley. In 1806, after Joseph Thornton had married he followed his father and grandfather (now in his 60s) to Kentucky and settled in Jefferson County, quite near where Abraham Lincoln's family was settled. It was there that a shift seemed to be made from Lutheran to Baptist, though by the time Joseph Thornton moved on later in life it seems that there was little religious interest at all.

In the mid 1830s Joseph Thornton moved on again to Cass County, Illinois. Uncle Otho told me that his father said that Wilhites and Lincolns moved to Illinois together. They did land in the same area. Joseph was for a while before he moved on to eastern Iowa with his second wife. While many of the Wilhites were prolific, JT in particular had 12 children by wife number one and 6 more by wife number two. JT's son Eli died in Illinois in his forties leaving his wife Elizabeth (Ryman) with several sons that were still young teens so she moved to the Iowa City area in the 1860s with several older sons. I still have been unable to find where she died or is buried. One of the younger sons was Eli Thornton Wilhite who is buried in the Corwith cemetary. He had gone back to Illinois and married Mary Arnold then moved back to Iowa and with another of the younger brothers settled in Corwith. Of course Eli was Grandpa Wilhite's father.

The Zeigler line I have traced back to Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. Grandma's mother, Josie Stufflebeam's family I have back to about 1600. Anyway, there are many interesting details and stories. The easiest thing would be to shoot you the whole file. I also have piles of documents, pictures, and other resources that you are welcome to copies of if you want to go that far. I have visited many of the graves and met many shirt tail relatives all over the country. It is intriguing.

Dennis has a great deal of info on Wilhite Genealogy. I will try to get some updated history to the site. Any comments are welcome.

Thanks Keith

Wilhite Waves

Please RSVP if attending Friday Sat or Sunday of Reunion 2010

Wilhite Reunion 2010 AUG 6-8TH

FACEBOOK Wilhite Waves

Wilhite Reunion 2008!

Reunion 2008

Wilhite Reunion for August 1-3,2008

August 1-3rd, 2008

Save the Date Aug 08

Neighbors

Prayer Request

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:10-11

Uncle Merle

Wilhite Brothers 2005

Here is a site we can share photos on.

Thanks from Jim and Bev

Wilhite Reunion Photos

2007 Wilhite Reunion

Reunion 07

Sweet Corn - Sweet times

Roll Call

Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

***Reminder***

RSVP ASAP! Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

Wilhite Brothers 2007

Reunion Date - at the Farm Aug 4-5th, 2007

Prayer Requests

Let's try to connect!

Wilhite Brothers Photo

wilhite Brother & Spouses Photo

Wilhite Brothers Photo

Wilhite Photo 1941

A little Wilhite History

Reminder