Coe Family Reunion (2002)
The 100th Annual Coe Reunion
Sunday July 21, 2002
The 100th annual William C. Coe Family Reunion was held on Sunday, July 21, 2002 at the Durham Fair Grounds, in Durham, CT. Outside of the Pavilion stood a sign welcoming members of the W.C. Coe 100 Family Reunion. The Pavilion was decorated to “The Nines” with beautiful hanging plants, red white and blue bunting, helium filled balloons, streamers, The Coe Coat of Arms and Our American Flag. The tables exhibited beautiful colonial blue tablecloths with flower arrangements in the center of the round tables. Anyone viewing the display knew that this was going to be a special day. Even the weather was perfect with sunshine and clear blue skies and a delightful cool breeze blowing through the Pavilion on the top of the hill. On display were albums and a multitude of pictures of family members from a variety of past generations.
The celebration began with “The Registration”. Members were asked to identify the Family Branch from which they are descendants. Each branch of the family was identified by a color coded name tag. Identifying colors are as follows: Red/Orange: William T. Coe and Harriet A. Barnes; Green: Phoebe Lavinia Coe and Henry Page; Yellow: Henry W. Coe and Elizabeth C. Davis; Orange: Henry Moulthrop Coe and Betsy Lyman Benson; Orange: Mary Ann Coe and Abram Camp.
Family members had a wonderful time finding their association with their family tree and checking out the various members in their direct line and how they were related.
Mabel Hamma organized a wonderful visual display showing the Family Branches (including pictures and text on her Genealogy Charts). Mabel was on hand to help family members track their roots and identify their ancestors. Her knowledge of the family history and the descendants was instrumental in helping with these identifications. Present for our 100th celebration was a total of 131 individuals: (118 family members, 12 guests and one canine friend). Family members came from as far away as Hawaii, California, Arizona, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Texas, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and as close as Durham, CT.
Our family Chaplain, Elizabeth Grant, offered the invocation. In her invocation Elizabeth hoped to Instill in young people the hope to continue the “reunion” tradition for the next 100 years. Sitting at tables set up in the pavilion, which provided welcomed shade and a delightful breeze, a wonderful potluck dinner was provided and enjoyed by all. As the eldest family member present, Dr. Fran Korn, born in 1916, was asked to cut our “Anniversary Cake”.
After dinner, President, Henry W. Coe, Jr. welcomed everyone to the 100th reunion celebration and thanked everyone for taking part. Henry made reference to the gavel and the fact that it was given to the W. C. Coe Family at the family’s 50th Family Reunion by Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Knapp. In keeping with family traditions, everyone was asked to stand for the “Pledge of Allegiance”. The minutes for the 99th annual reunion were read by the Secretary, Loraine Coe and accepted with corrections.
The President then chose a nominating committee for the slate of officers for the coming year. Those chosen for this committee were as follows: Charles Miller, William (Bill) Coe, and Eileen Burke.
The Treasurer’s report was presented and read by Treasurer, Jack Gastler which indicated the following with respect to funds on hand:
Beginning Cash Balance $ 688.20
Interest $ 27.53
$ 715.73
Plus: Collections/Donations $ 861.00
$1576.73
Less: Reunion Expenses ($ 881.38)
Ending Cash Balance $ 695.35
Motion was made and seconded to pay the bills of the day.
The President took this opportunity to thank the individual members who had donated to the 100th celebration. The list is as follows:
100th Anniversary Cake Baked & decorated: Ron Kirby (husband of Lori
Gastler Kirby)
Flowers/table decorations: Ann Page
Hanging Plants: For decorations & Donated: Evelyn & Bill Larson (Wheeler Hill Farm, Portland, CT.) the plants were then offered for sale with the monies realized from the sale to be given to the Coe Family Reunion Treasury.
Giant Slide: Dori Coe
Mailings (X2): Tara & Charlie Miller
Table cloths: Helen & Mel Pearce
Helium tank & balloons: Loraine & Henry Coe
Speaker system & Musical instruments: Brian Russell
Photographer: Tom Russell
Video: Dori Coe
Computer/scanner/equipment: Kevin Coe
Music, sound & entertainment: Brian Russell
Commemorative T-Shirts: Harold Gastler, in memory of his Mom & Dad, Alice and Bert Gastler
The Nominating Committee presented their slate of officers for the coming year. They stated that they unanimously voted to keep the same slate of officers because of the super job they had done. President: Henry W. Coe, Jr.; Vice President: Jeffrey Grant; Treasurer: Jack Gastler; Secretary: Loraine Coe; Historian: Mabel (Gastler) Hamma; Chaplain: Elizabeth Grant. The nominating Committee also requested that they be allowed to add a new Officer for the coming year and that was Officer of Special Services: Tara Miller. Upon a motion and second, it was unanimously voted to accept and elect the slate of officers for the coming year as presented by the nominating committee.
Motion was made to hold William C. Coe Reunion at the same place (The Durham Fair Grounds) again next year. This was unanimously approved. President, Henry Coe stated that he would look into it to see if this would be possible.
Historian’s report was presented by Mabel Gastler Hamma. Once again and as always, Mabel reported on the family legacy of Robert Coe, Puritan and read a summary of his/our family history. Mabel remembered the first William C. Coe family reunion in 1896 and how thru a suggestion of Louisa Coe Burke that the reunion become an annual event and how today we celebrated our 100th anniversary of that first reunion. Mabel also mentioned that the Maple trees on the Coe Farm Homestead were planted in 1907. In 1991 the large Maple tree was destroyed in a hurricane…. Its circumference measured 47ft. Mabel also reviewed the genealogy charts and how we all come together as a family.
Mabel’s suggestion from the previous reunion generated many members of the family sharing old family pictures that were given to Kevin Coe to scan into his computer which he had brought with him. Because many of the pictures are one of a kind and priceless, it was a wonderful way to get copies of the pictures without their having to leave the owners presence. They were then immediately put up on the family’s web site @ www.coe-family.com. Where they can be downloaded to any one’s computer at home and printed if they so desire. This will enable any family member to have their own copy of the pictures.
Marriages: Jeffrey Coe Tinker and Jamie Pandolfini married on 8/4/2001
Michael Coe and Renee Lindsey married on 9/__/2001
Jason Coe and Liza Paolini married on 6/2/2002
Sharri Ann Coe and Ralph D’Errico married on 10/6/02
Births: To Kristen (Larson) and Stephen Kavanaugh a Dtr.: Sara Evelyn on 2/7/2002
To Stacey and Scott Tinker a Son: Austin on 9/15/2001
To Michael & Renee Coe a Dtr.: Mikayle Renee on 7/1/2002
To Trish and Kevin Coe a Dtr.: Avery Elizabeth on 7/1/2002
Deaths: Cheryl Morrisey King died on 6/__/2002
Florin Page died 4/28/2002
New Business:
Henry stated that he wanted to reinstitute a practice that was part of the reunions in the past and that was a segment where individual members were asked to share their comments. This was very well received and we had comments from the following members: Elizabeth Grant: Spoke of her mother; Dr. Fran Korn was asked to say a few words and responded that “approaching senility doesn’t have a comment” this brought a laugh and a round of applause; Joan Johnson, spoke of going to the Coe farm as a little girl; Stan Atwell, thanked everyone for inviting him to his first Coe reunion ever and was pleased to meet so many “new” relatives; Tracy Richardson, found relatives in Ohio and has made it her mission to bring Ohio and CT. together by finding out how we are all related; Debbie Gastler Malloy, comments on the value of family and her Mom & Dad’s 50th Anniversary recently celebrated; Eileen Burke commented on something she read about Robert Coe, Puritan that stated that he was a purveyor of cloth ; Juanita Knapp Gray, offered words of thanks and shared 1963 video that she had for viewing; Ann Page had a comment/observation re: milk (lack of). She remembered fresh milk on the farm and today she stated we have no milk but fat free Half & Half. The President, Henry, promised that there would be milk next year. This elucidated much laughter.; Carol Furcolowe Scarcello, from Arizona and sister of Katherine Knapp, read a letter from her 91 year old mother, Alice Lavinia Harrison Furcolowe, who, although is in good health, could not make the trip due to a broken foot recently. ** Letter in its entirety follows**
July 21, 2002
Dear Coe Reunion Relatives,
Most of you don’t know me, but I am related to you – 12th generation from the original Robert Coe who came to America in 1634.
I have very fond memories of the Coe Reunion from the time I was a small child visiting my grandmother, Hattie Stevens. It was always a thrill to arrive at the Coe Homestead and see the long, white-covered tables standing under the huge tree on the front lawn. Dinner was at 12 and as the relatives arrived, they deposited their offering on the tables. Uncle Ellie (Ellis Stevens) always made the lemonade (no liquor) in a huge milk can. I think there was also tea or coffee and of course milk – it was a dairy farm. The food, of course, was delicious – each family contributing their own specialty. After dinner (watermelon) & games and going to the barn to see all the cows.
Some of you probably remember my sister, Katherine Knapp, who made the Reunion flag some years ago and was devoted Coe Reunion member. She would have loved to be here today.
I had thought I’d be there with you today, but I fell and broke my foot, which put an end to that thought. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Anyway, my thoughts are with you.
Best wishes from Alice Harrison Furcolowe, 12th generation member of the Coe Reunion.
Henry referred to the Family “Coat of Arms” banner and how he had brought it to the cleaners to have it cleaned because over the years it had become yellowed. The cleaner told him that it should not be kept under glass and should be stored in a box and wrapped in acid free tissue under uniform temperatures, preferably in the interior of a house with temperature control. Never in an attic where there are extremes in temperatures Summer & Winter. Additionally, Henry was told that flying the banner in the open air is the best thing for it. Kevin Coe suggested that maybe we could have a replica made and that the original could be preserved. Henry said that that was a good possibility.
Colleen Costello offered to make another one in order to preserve the original one. He asked Tara Miller if she would take responsibility as to what should/could be done to insure the preservation of the “Coat of Arms” Flag/Banner. This was unanimously approved by the members.
Motion was made to hold William C. Coe Reunion at the same place (The Durham Fair Grounds) again next year on July 21, 2003. This was unanimously approved. President, Henry Coe stated that he would look into it to see if this would be possible.
Chairman of the Entertainment Committee, Harriet Duval, announced the entertainment for the day and what a wonderful experience it was. Brian Russell, Harriet’s son, provided the group with a variety of Irish medlies, Summertime, Roll Out The Barrel, You’re a Grand Old Flag, The Unicorn Song, and Dixieland Medlies. Brian also played a variety of instruments ie. fiddle, flute, guitar etc. The family members were very responsive to Brian and very appreciative. His performance drew everyone together.
Next to participate in the entertainment was Maryann Tinker who read a Poem which had been read by her mother Mildred Coe at the 50th W. C. Coe Reunion.
“Roads”
by Rachel Field
A road might lead to anywhere
The harbor town and keys,
Or to a witches pointed house
Hidden by bristly trees.
It might lead past the tailors door,
Where he sews with needle and thread
Or by Miss Pim the milliner’s
With her hats for every head.
It might be a road to a great dark cave
With treasure and gold piled high
Or a road with a mountain tied to its end
Blue-humped against the sky.
Oh, a road might lead you anywhere-
To Mexico or Maine
But then, it might just fool you, and
Lead you back to home again!
Finally we were entertained by the Coe Family Singers: Harriet Duval, accompaniment on the keyboard; John Gastler, Mal Pearce, Mabel Gastler Hamma, Henry W. Coe, Jr., Helen Pearce, Nan Gastler, Patty Powers, Hal Gastler, and Dick Duval. The group entertained us with the following songs: Let There Be Peace on Earth, This is My Country, and God Bless America.
President, Henry Coe brought the Reunion to a close and thanked everyone again for taking part. Henry left the group with a quote by James Hamma taken from the Middletown Press dated July 19, 2002 ; “The Past Will Always Diverse and Cross Again”.
Looking forward to having our past cross again next year.
Awards were presented to many of the family members for a variety of reasons by Secretary of The William C. Coe, Loraine A. Coe :
1. The most grandchildren: Tara & Charlie Miller
2. Traveled the farthest: Tara Miller Feir & son Ryan Feir
3. Oldest member present at today’s reunion: Dr. Fran Korn
4. Family member(s) last to arrive: Ed & Diane Coe
5. Newest member of W.C.Coe family: Avery Elizabeth Coe
6. Historian: Mabel Gastler Hamma
7. 50th Anniversary Commemoration: John & Nan Gastler
8. Commitment and appreciation: Mabel Gastler Hamma
9. Commitment and appreciation: Tara & Charlie Miller
10. Commitment and appreciation: Harriet & Dick Duval
11. Commitment and appreciation: Helen & Mal Pearce
12. Commitment and appreciation: Loraine & Henry Coe
13. Oldest known member of family: Alice Lavinia Harrison Furcolowe
14. Table flowers: Ann Page
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Loraine A. Coe
Secretary